With the hit drama Sons of Anarchy firmly in the rearview mirror after a record-breaking seventh season, creator Kurt Sutter has shifted his focus to his next project, upcoming period drama The Bastard Executioner. Production begin in just a few weeks, and FX has announced the principle cast for the series.
Newcomer Lee Jones has landed the leading role of Wilkin Brattle, the titular executioner, while True Blood‘s Stephen Moyer is also onboard. The press release also confirms something we’ve known for awhile, that Katey Sagal would have a role in the series – and it looks like Sutter will be back in front of the camera, as well. Also of note is The Americans star Matthew Rhys, appearing in a guest role.
Here’s the complete casting breakdown:
- Lee Jones, a newly discovered Australian theater actor, will take the lead as “Wilkin Brattle”: Tall, dark, imposing. Emotionally deep, spiritually tortured. Former knight in the charge of King Edward I. He now lives a simple agrarian life.
- Stephen Moyer (True Blood) will star as “Milus Corbett”: Street smart and noble savvy. He was one of Ventris’ marshals in the army. Now, serves as his Chamberlain, Chancellor and Justiciar. Friend and drinking mate.
- Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) will star as “Annora of the Alders”: Prescient, mystical and beautiful. She offers predictions, cures and potions.
- Flora Spencer-Longhurst will star as “Baroness Lowry ‘Love’ Aberffraw Ventris”: As cunning as she is kind and beautiful. From a wealthy Welsh family, she married Ventris at 17 to protect her family’s land. Her noble duties always in conflict with her Welsh pride.
- Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield) will star as “The Dark Mute”: Mate and guardian of Annora. Speaks rarely, no one’s ever seen his face.
- Sam Spruell (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hurt Locker) will star as “Toran Prichard”: Fierce, tenacious. An archer under Madog Llywelyn in the last major Welsh rebellion. He put down the bow and picked up the hoe. Wilkin’s best mate.
- Darren Evans (Galavant) will star as “Ash y Goedwig”: Wiry, smart. A trapper. An orphan “of the woods”. Friend of Wilkin.
- Danny Sapani (Trance, Penny Dreadful) will star as “Berber the Moor”: A large, educated man. Converted Muslim. A farmer. Friend of Wilkin.
- Timothy V. Murphy (Sons of Anarchy, The Lone Ranger) will star as “Father Ruskin”: A Brawny. Gentle, with bottled fury. Former soldier. Left the military for the seminary. Priest, rector and teacher of the court.
- Sarah White will star as “Isabel Kiffin”: Tall, slight. Awkward and innocent. Lady Love’s handmaiden and trusted confidant.
- Sarah Sweeny as “Jessamy Maddox”: Pretty, hardened by abuse. The executioner’s wife.
- In a guest-starring role, Matthew Rhys as “Gruffudd y Blaidd”: Smart, fearless, of noble blood. The Wolf. Leader of the Welsh rebels, Byth Encil.
The Bastard Executioner begins shooting on location in Wales on March 19, with a fall debut expected. See below for the full press release, and stay tuned for more information about the series as it becomes available.
THE BASTARD EXECUTIONER LINES UP ITS CAST
FX’s Drama Series Pilot to Star Lee Jones, Stephen Moyer, Katey Sagal,
Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Kurt Sutter, and Sam Spruell
Stellar Cast Also Includes Darren Evans, Danny Sapani, Timothy V. Murphy, Sarah White, Sarah Sweeny and Guest Star Matthew Rhys
Production of the Pilot from Creator/Showrunner Kurt Sutter
Begins March 19 In Wales
Executive Producers Are Sutter, Imagine Television’s Brian Grazer and
Francie Calfo, Alongside EP Paris Barclay Who Will Direct the Pilot Episode
LOS ANGELES, February 24, 2015 – The Bastard Executioner, FX’s highly-anticipated new drama series pilot from Kurt Sutter, has lined up a stellar cast of veteran and emerging actors that features series regulars Lee Jones, Stephen Moyer, Katey Sagal, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Kurt Sutter, Sam Spruell, Darren Evans, Danny Sapani, Timothy V. Murphy, Sarah White, and Sarah Sweeney, and guest star Matthew Rhys. Production of the pilot begins on March 19 in Wales.
A period drama, The Bastard Executioner tells the story of a warrior knight in King Edward I’s charge who is broken by the ravages of war and vows to lay down his sword. But when that violence finds him again he is forced to pick up the bloodiest sword of all.
The Bastard Executioner was created by Kurt Sutter, who will serve as Executive Producer along with award-winning producers Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and Paris Barclay. Sutter wrote the script for the pilot of The Bastard Executioner, which will be directed by Barclay. The project is being produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.
The cast stars:
- Lee Jones, a newly discovered Australian theater actor, will take the lead as “Wilkin Brattle”: Tall, dark, imposing. Emotionally deep, spiritually tortured. Former knight in the charge of King Edward I. He now lives a simple agrarian life. Jones is represented by Emery Entertainment.
- Stephen Moyer (True Blood) will star as “Milus Corbett”: Street smart and noble savvy. He was one of Ventris’ marshals in the army. Now, serves as his Chamberlain, Chancellor and Justiciar. Friend and drinking mate. Moyer is represented by WME.
- Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) will star as “Annora of the Alders”: Prescient, mystical and beautiful. She offers predictions, cures and potions. Sagal is represented by WME.
- Flora Spencer-Longhurst will star as “Baroness Lowry ‘Love’ Aberffraw Ventris”: As cunning as she is kind and beautiful. From a wealthy Welsh family, she married Ventris at 17 to protect her family’s land. Her noble duties always in conflict with her Welsh pride. Spencer-Longhurst is represented by United Agents.
- Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield) will star as “The Dark Mute”: Mate and guardian of Annora. Speaks rarely, no one’s ever seen his face. Sutter is represented by WME.
- Sam Spruell (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hurt Locker) will star as “Toran Prichard”: Fierce, tenacious. An archer under Madog Llywelyn in the last major Welsh rebellion. He put down the bow and picked up the hoe. Wilkin’s best mate. Spruell is represented by ICM and Silver Lining Entertainment.
- Darren Evans (Galavant) will star as “Ash y Goedwig”: Wiry, smart. A trapper. An orphan “of the woods”. Friend of Wilkin. Evans is represented by Troika.
- Danny Sapani (Trance, Penny Dreadful) will star as “Berber the Moor”: A large, educated man. Converted Muslim. A farmer. Friend of Wilkin. Sapani is represented by Gordon and French.
- Timothy V. Murphy (Sons of Anarchy, The Lone Ranger) will star as “Father Ruskin”: A Brawny. Gentle, with bottled fury. Former soldier. Left the military for the seminary. Priest, rector and teacher of the court. Murphy is represented by SDB Partners.
- Sarah White will star as “Isabel Kiffin”: Tall, slight. Awkward and innocent. Lady Love’s handmaiden and trusted confidant. White is represented by Gendler & Kelly, and APC.
- Sarah Sweeny as “Jessamy Maddox”: Pretty, hardened by abuse. The executioner’s wife. Represented by Lou Coulson Associates.
- In a guest-starring role, Matthew Rhys as “Gruffudd y Blaidd”: Smart, fearless, of noble blood. The Wolf. Leader of the Welsh rebels, Byth Encil. [Note: this role does not change his lead position in the FX drama series The Americans.] Rhys is represented by WME and Management 360.
ABOUT FX
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel of FX Networks, a business unit of 21ST Century Fox. FX Networks is comprised of FX, FXM and FXX. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 95 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including Justified, The Americans, Tyrant, The Strain and the upcoming Taboo; the critically-acclaimed miniseries American Horror Story, Fargo and the upcoming miniseries American Crime Story; acclaimed hit comedy series including the award-winning Louie, Archer, Married and upcoming The Comedians, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll and Baskets. FX is the former home of the critically-acclaimed and award winning hit drama series The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Damages and Sons of Anarchy. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, In Living Color and Mike & Molly.
ABOUT FOX 21 TELEVISION STUDIOS
The newly formed Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the Emmy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning Homeland; the hit series The Americans, starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys; The Killing, starring Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, available on Netflix; Tyrant, from Howard Gordon; Graceland, featuring Daniel Sunjata and Aaron Tveit; Salem, from Brannon Braga and Adam Simon; and Legends, from Howard Gordon and Jonathan Levin, among others. Upcoming series include Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson, The Comedians, executive-produced by and starring Billy Crystal, alongside Josh Gad, and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, created by and starring Denis Leary.
ABOUT FX PRODUCTIONS
FX Productions (FXP) produces FX’s newest acclaimed hit drama series The Strain; the comedy series Louie, Archer, Married and the upcoming Baskets, and the FXX comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, You’re the Worst, Man Seeking Woman and the upcoming comedy The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project (TBD). FXP co-produces the drama series Justified, The Americans, Tyrant and the upcoming Taboo; the miniseries Fargo, which scored 18 Emmy® Award nominations and won the Emmy award for Outstanding Miniseries; the upcoming miniseries American Crime Story; and the comedies The Comedians and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. In 2014, FXP shows combined to deliver 28 Emmy Award nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Miniseries, and Outstanding Animated Program.
bastard executioner fx katey sagal kurt sutter