Michael Shannon has joined the cast of BBC One and AMC’s forthcoming adaptation of John Le Carré’s The Little Drummer Girl.
The actor joins Florence Pugh and Alexander Skarsgård in the drama which marks the TV debut of acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook who directs.
Set in the late 1970s, The Little Drummer Girl weaves a dynamic and exciting story of espionage and international intrigue; of love and betrayal.
Young actress Charlie (Pugh) strikes up an acquaintance with an intriguing stranger while on holiday in Greece, but it rapidly becomes apparent that his intentions are far from romantic.
The man is Becker (Skarsgård), an Israeli intelligence officer, who entangles her in a complex and high stakes plot orchestrated by Israeli Spymaster Kurtz (Shannon).
The series is being financed and produced by The Ink Factory in partnership with 127 Wall and co-producers the BBC and AMC.
Simon and Stephen Cornwell, co-CEOs and Founders of The Ink Factory, said: “Michael is an actor of the highest calibre, and we are excited to welcome him to the stellar group of talent this project is amassing.
“Under the direction of a consummate auteur and opposite two equally dynamic actors – we are confident that he will channel the complex combination of tension and gravitas within Kurtz which is shot through the narrative.”
Park Chan-wook said: “The first time I saw Michael was as one of the genius actors who delivered wonderful performances in Revolutionary Road, and ever since I’ve remained his loyal fan.
“I believe Michael will make the perfect Kurtz, a man scarred by history and carrying burdens all too heavy on his shoulders, an Israeli ‘Captain Ahab’ obsessed by his biggest and most elusive nemesis yet.”
