Bond actress Naomie Harris has signed on for a lead role joining previously announced lead Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The show is based on Walter Tevis’ 1963 novel and the 1976 Nicolas Roeg film that starred David Bowie, both of the same name. In the series version, a new alien character (Ejiofor – The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind) arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Harris will play Justin Falls, a brilliant scientist and engineer who must conquer her own demons in the race to save two worlds.
Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet are writing and executive producing the series and, with executive producer John Hlavin, will serve as showrunners. Kurtzman will also direct multiple episodes. Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, and Heather Kadin are also executive producing, along with rights holder Studiocanal’s Rola Bauer and Françoise Guyonnet.
The series, produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Timberman/Beverly, production is scheduled to begin in London this spring for a 2022 premiere on Showtime. The show was originally set up at Paramount Plus before moving over to Showtime earlier this month.
“To be working with an actor of Naomie’s calibre is an absolute dream,” said co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet, and John Hlavin. “Her strength, her complexity, and her bold artistic choices are an inspiration. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.”