Cast For ITV's Beowulf Announced

The cast of a new ITV adaptation of the epic story Beowulf has been announced.
Kieran Bew (Da Vinci’s Demons, The Bletchley Circle) has been cast to play the lead role of Beowulf and will star alongside William Hurt (Humans, Kiss of the Spider Woman) who will play Hrothgar, and Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall, Jamaica Inn) who takes on the role of Rheda.
Created by James Dormer, Tim Haines and Katie Newman, the 13-part drama is to be produced by ITV Studios.
Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey) has been cast in the role of Slean and David Ajala (Black Box) will play Rate.
Further casting includes Ian Puleston- Davies (Coronation Street), Ellora Torchia (Indian Summers), Gisli Orn Gardarsson (Spooks and Spirits) Susan Aderin (The Last Detective), Kirsty Oswald (Ripper Street), Laura Donnelly (Outlander), Edward Hogg (Indian Summers), Alex Price (Father Brown), Jack Rowan (Silent Witness) and Itoya Osagiede (Okora: The Prelude).
James Dormer (Strike Back, Wallander, Outcast), who will write and executive produce, said: "Hundreds of years ago our ancestors listened to the story of Beowulf because it was a great adventure story - it scared them, thrilled them, made them laugh and cry. But they also listened because they recognised themselves and their fears in it. By holding a mirror up to them this story helped define them and thus - us. So it’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to make it relevant again for a wide audience - to let them own it again. To let them see themselves in it."
ITV Studios’ Creative Director of Drama Tim Haines (Primeval, Sinbad, Walking With Dinosaurs) will executive produce with ITV Studios’ Executive Producer of Drama Katie Newman (Primeval: New World).
Stephen Smallwood (Ripper Street, The Day of the Triffids, DCI Banks) will produce on location in County Durham and Northumberland.
Beowulf has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.
“Beowulf is a series with a charismatic protagonist at its heart,” Mr Smallwood said. "Equally it’s a spirited and fascinating ensemble drama with each character taking their own emotional and sometimes perilous journey. We’re delighted to be commissioning Beowulf and to be working with Tim Haines and his production team."
Filming will begin in the north east later this month for transmission on ITV.
(IT/CD)