Paramount+ has officially ordered Laird, a new original drama series that will star Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh (he won Best Original Screenplay for Belfast). Branagh is also attached to executive produce the series, which comes from writers Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Georgia Lee, with Joe Wright set to direct the pilot.
The official synopsis reads:
Set in the modern Scottish Highlands, Laird is an epic family saga in which a proud Scot defies a shadowy American billionaire hellbent on buying up the glens. Amidst family feuds, buried secrets and star-crossed romances, the Laird of Castle Drummoch (Branagh) remains determined to protect his ancestral lands from oligarchical land grabbing.
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The series reunites Paramount+ with some impressive creative talent. MobLand and The Agency creator Jez Butterworth developed the project alongside John-Henry Butterworth and Georgia Lee (The 100, Partner Track). The pilot will be directed by two-time BAFTA winner Joe Wright, whose credits include Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Darkest Hour, Hanna, and Cyrano.
Branagh will executive produce alongside David C. Glasser, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Joe Wright, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch, and Keith Cox. The series is being produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios.
Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+, described the series as a story about “one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power,” adding that Branagh and the creative team make Laird one of the streamer’s most exciting upcoming dramas.
“At its heart, Laird is about one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power. 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 of Paramount Television Studios, praised the project’s creative team, saying the gripping drama explores “how far one family will go to protect their land and legacy,” while 101 Studios CEO David Glasser said he was excited to continue collaborating with Jez and John-Henry Butterworth on another ambitious production.
Laird is slated to premiere exclusively on Paramount+, although the streaming service has not yet announced a release date. Does this sound like an interesting project to you? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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