Paramount+’s series prequel to the 2000 Oscar-nominated crime drama Sexy Beast has set its cast as filming gets underway in Liverpool. The prequel, also titled Sexy Beast, will star James McArdle (Mare of Easttown) as a younger version of Gal Dove, the character played by Ray Winstone in the critically acclaimed feature film.
The just announced cast also includes Emun Elliot (The Rig), Stephen Moyer (True Blood), Sarah Greene (Dublin Murders), and Tamsin Greig (Episodes).
“I feel so fortunate to be able to explore these beautifully crafted characters a decade before we met them in the original story,” said writer, showrunner, and executive producer Michael Caleo (The Sopranos). “This series has been a great passion of mine for many years and I cannot wait to see it come to life with this amazing cast.”
Additional season one casting includes Eliza Bennett (Dynasty), Clea Martin (Hanna), Nicholas Nunn (The Victim), John Dagleish (The Third Day), Robbie Gee (Motherland), and Paul Kaye (The Stranger). Lex Shrapnel (Infiniti), Cally Lawrence (Who Is Alice), David Kennedy (Hollyoaks), Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders), and Alice Bailey Johnson (This Is Going to Hurt) are also on board the drama.
Executive producer Daniel O’Hara (Brassic) directs the first episodes. James Levison is a producer, with Nicole Clemens and Chapter One Pictures’ Sophie Gardiner and Rupert Ryle-Hodges executive producing. The original film’s writers David Scinto and Louis Mellis are also involved as executive producers.
The series is a Chapter One Pictures, Anonymous Content, and VIS production.
Paramount+ offered this description of the characters and plot:
“The prequel series will explore Gal and Don’s complicated relationship as Gal finds himself descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s while falling in love with DeeDee.
James McArdle leads the cast as Gal Dove and Emun Elliott stars as Don Logan – the duo are best friends and small-town thieves, living the good life in ‘90s East London. Sarah Greene is Deedee, a captivating adult film star, who has the potential to turn Gal’s whole life upside down. Stephen Moyer is Teddy Bass, a rising name in the gangster world, who Gal and Don are offered the chance to work with on a high-profile heist. Tamsin Greig is Don’s stern and formidable older sister Cecilia.”
