Beacon 23: Lena Headey to lead new psychological space thriller series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Lena Headey (Game of Thrones, Dredd) is heading to space for her next series as the female lead in Beacon 23.

Based on the book of the same name by bestselling author Hugh Howey, Beacon 23 is a psychological thriller that follows two people, Halan and Aster (Headey), whose fates become entangled after they find themselves trapped together at the end of the known universe. Per Deadline, Headey’s Aster mysteriously finds her way to a lonely beacon keeper, Halan, on his lighthouse in the darkest recesses of space. A tense battle of wills unfolds as Halan begins to question whether Aster is a friend or foe as her ability to disguise her agenda and motives could make her a formidable opponent.

Created by Zak Penn, who serves as showrunner on the series, Beacon 23 is set up by Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks. In addition to her starring role, Headey will executive produce through her Peephole Productions label. Meanwhile, Boat Rocker Studios will co-produce with Spectrum Originals. Penn also executive produces alongside Headey and Ira Steve Behr, Tina Thor, Elisa Ellis, and Katie O’Connell Marsh for Boat Rocker Studios.

“We had exactly one person in mind when thinking about who could play Aster – who could bring the strength, the vulnerability, and the brilliance to Zak’s complex character? No one but Lena Headey”, said Katherine Pope, Head of Spectrum Originals. “We couldn’t be more excited to go on this thrill ride with Lena and Zak leading the way.”

“Lena Headey was a wonderful, versatile actress before she gave one of the defining performances in television history. So, as they say, ‘no pressure.’ I’m thankful to all the people making this show possible, they just keep delivering beyond my expectations,” said Penn.

“This is such an exciting casting. Lena is a towering giant in the business, a remarkable and multi-dimensional talent, and to have her as part of this series elevates it in every way,” said Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks Entertainment Group and co-president of AMC Studios.

Since completing her role as Cersei Lannister for HBO's Game of Thrones, Headey has been busy adding projects to her Hollywood dance card. Among them are animated projects such as Wizards, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, HBO Max's Infinity Train, and soon she'll star as the voice of Evil-Lyn for Kevin Smith's Masters of the Universe: Revelation. She is currently voicing the character Thea for New-Gen, the sci-fi animation series New-Gen, based on the Marvel comic book series by J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti, and Julia Coppola of A.P.N.G. Enterprises. New-Gen follows twin brothers and nanotech-enhanced superheroes (Stranger Things‘ Finn Wolfhard and brother Nick Wolfhard provide the voices) as they work to save the world of New-Gen from destructive war. The futuristic utopia of scientific and mechanical wonders seeks to balance nature and technology, weaving together an ecologically sustainable paradise.

Be sure to keep close as more details for Beacon 23 are bound to touch down soon.