Kenneth Branagh to Star in New Television Series ‘Laird’ from Paramount+
Get ready! Paramount has announced that it has greenlit a new series starring the great Irish-born actor and director, Kenneth Branagh.
A family saga of epic proportions, Laird follows Branagh as the Laird of Castle Drummoch, who goes up against an American billionaire who is attempting to buy the glens of the Scottish Highlands. The story becomes a fight for ancestral land as the Laird attempts to ward off the grubby land grab.
The series is created by MobLand’s Jez Butterworth, Nine Perfect Strangers’ John-Henry Butterworth and The 100’s Georgia Lee (The 100, Partner Track).
Head of Originals for Paramount, Jane Wiseman, said, “At its heart, Laird is about one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power”. She continued, “There's something universally resonant about watching someone fight to protect what matters most, and with Kenneth Branagh leading the series, and an equally remarkable creative team, we can't wait for audiences to root for the Laird of Castle Drummoch".
Matt Thunell, President, Paramount Television Studios said that the series is a “gripping drama” and said of the series, “With Kenneth Branagh starring and Joe Wright directing, this is a singular creative team, and we are thrilled to once again partner with 101 Studios to bring this series to Paramount+”.
Kenneth Branagh is no stranger to the world of television dramas. One of his earliest acting roles was in the BBC anthology Play for Tomorrow, and he continued to work steadily in the world of television as his stardom grew, both in the United Kingdom and across the pond in Hollywood (although film and theatre were a priority). As he gained Academy Award nominations for his theatrical films such as Henry V, Hamlet and later for his autobiographical film Belfast, he would appear in television movies and series alike, being nominated for several Emmy awards and even winning for the World War II television film Conspiracy in 2001. His recent turn as the title character in the series Wallander, in which Branagh played a police detective, garnered him significant critical and award acclaim.
Not much else is known about this upcoming drama, but given the track records of its creators and star, Laird is sure to be a highlight of Paramount+’s ever-expanding premium lineup.