Alden Ehrenreich will star in UCP’s “Brave New World” adaptation.
Based on Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel, the adaptation was ordered to straight-to-series at USA earlier this year. The book imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself.
The “Solo” alum will star in the series as John the Savage, a “subversive outsider who threatens to disrupt the stability of New London’s utopian society.”
“Brave New World” centers on Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne, citizens of New London who have only ever known a rigid social order, a perfect pharmaceutical called Soma, and a culture of instant gratification and ubiquitous sex. Curious to explore life beyond the strictures of their society, they embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage, who escapes with them back to New London. John’s arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions. The three become entwined in a fraught relationship that awakens them to the dangers of their own conditioning.
The series was adapted for television by “Homecoming” alum David Wiener, with Grant Morrison and Brian Taylor. Wiener will serve as showrunner and executive produce alongside Morrison and Amblin Television co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. “Black Mirror: San Junipero” director Owen Harris is attached to direct the first episode.
The project hails from Universal Content Productions, in association with Amblin Television.
Deadline first reported the news of Ehrenreich’s casting.