CinÉireann / January 2018 11
SYFY announced a series pickup for Nightflyers, based on author George R.R. Martin’s novella and the 1987 film of the same name. Jeff Buhler (Jacob’s Ladder) wrote the adaptation for television and will executive produce alongside Daniel Cerone (The Blacklist) who will also serve as showrunner. Mike Cahill (I Origin) will direct the pilot.
The series will be produced by Universal Cable Productions. Netflix will co-produce and have first-run rights to the series outside of the U.S.
Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire) is set to star as Dr. Agatha Matheson, alongside Eoin Macken (The Night Shift) as Karl D’Branin, David Ajala (Fast & Furious 6) as Roy Eris, Sam Strike (EastEnders) as Thale, Maya Eshet (Teen Wolf) as Lommie, Angus Sampson (Fargo) as Rowan, Jodie Turner-Smith (The Last Ship) as Melantha Jhirl, and Brían F. O'Byrne (Million Dollar Baby) as Auggie.
Nightflyers follows eight maverick scientists and a powerful telepath who embark on an expedition to the edge of our solar system aboard The Nightflyer - a ship with a small tightknit crew and a reclusive captain -- in the hope of making contact with alien life. But when terrifying and violent events begin to take place they start to question each other -- and surviving the journey proves harder than anyone thought.
The series, produced in Ireland, is moving forward with the support of the Government of Ireland, through the Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht and the Irish Film Board. Pre-production is currently underway at Troy Studios in Limerick.
Disney announced today initial casting for the live-action adaptation of Artemis Fowl, which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh and produced by Branagh and Judy Hofflund.
The search for an actor to play Artemis Fowl was extensive, with casting director Lucy Bevan seeing over 1200 candidates for the part. Branagh chose Irish newcomer Ferdia Shaw, who will make his onscreen debut in the title role. Descended from a long line of criminal masterminds, 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl finds himself in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful, hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father’s disappearance.
Josh Gad (Murder on the Orient Express, Marshall, Beauty and the Beast) has signed on for the role of Mulch Diggums, a kleptomaniacal dwarf who works for the fairies—and himself. Academy Award® winner Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Skyfall) takes on the role of Commander Root, the steely leader of the fairy police force (LEPrecon). Lara McDonnell (The Delinquent Season, Love, Rosie, The Walk Invisible) has been cast in the role of Captain Holly Short, the elf hero. Nonso Anozie (Cinderella, The Grey, Ender’s Game) will play Butler, Artemis Fowl’s formidable bodyguard.
Based on the bestselling book series by Eoin Colfer and with a screenplay by award-winning playwright Conor McPherson, Artemis Fowl is slated for release in Irish cinemas in 2019. Production will begin early next year in the U.K.