“The Path” star Emma Greenwell has been cast as the lead in Starz’ new spy thriller “The Rook,” with Olivia Munn also signing on, an individual with knowledge of production tells TheWrap.
The actresses will be joined by Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”), Adrian Lester (“Hustle”), Ronan Raftery (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”), Catherine Steadman (“Downton Abbey”) and Jon Fletcher (“Genius: Einstein”) on the series, which hails from Lionsgate and Liberty Global.
Based on a novel of the same name by Daniel O’Malley, the spy drama is adapted and co-produced by playwrights and screenwriters Sam Holcroft and Al Muriel, with “Twilight” creator Stephenie Meyer and Stephen Garrett (“The Night Manager”) also executive producing. “The Handmaid’s Tale”s Kari Skogland lined up to direct the pilot episode.
Greenwell will lead the series as Myfanwy Thomas, a young woman who wakes up in a London park suffering total amnesia and is pursued by shadowy paranormal adversaries. Grappling with supernatural abilities of her own, she must fight to uncover her past and resume her position within Britain’s secret service, the Checquy, before the traitors who stole her memory can finish what they started.
Munn will play Monica Reed, a bold American intelligence officer with subtle supernatural powers who crashes into the Checquy investigation of her former lover’s death. Richardson has been cast as Lady Farrier, Myfanwy’s mentor and ally who sits at the head of the Checquy, defending her tenuous hold on its secrecy. Lester is set as Conrad Grantchester, the suave and charismatic deputy to Farrier, who ultimately challenges her role as King.
The four Gestalt siblings will be played by Raftery as Robert, Steadman as Eliza and Fetcher as twins Teddy and Alex.
Production on “The Rook” is currently underway in London. It will air on Starz in the U.S. and Liberty Global’s international platforms, with Lionsgate handling worldwide distribution.