‘Laird’: Jennifer Ehle, Peter Mullan, Phia Saban & More Join Kenneth Branagh’s Paramount+ Scottish Drama

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Paramount+ is assembling quite the cast for its upcoming Scottish Highland drama ‘Laird‘, with seven new additions joining Kenneth Branagh (Oppenheimer) and Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent) in the epic family saga from the creators of MobLand and The Agency.

The series, which is currently filming in Scotland and London, has added Jennifer Ehle (Contagion, Zero Dark Thirty), Peter Mullan (Ozark, I Swear), Phia Saban (House of the Dragon, The Last Kingdom), Ruaridh Mollica (Vision Quest, Isle of Man), Holliday Grainger (Strike, Patrick Melrose), Douglas Hodge (Joker, Legends), and Corey Mylchreest (Queen Charlotte, Hostage).

That’s a rather impressive collection of talent, although Paramount+ is keeping quiet about exactly who the newcomers will be playing. Given the show’s promise of family feuds, buried secrets and star-crossed romances, there should be plenty of opportunities for them to cause trouble in the Highlands!

What Is ‘Laird’ About?

Set in the modern Scottish Highlands, ‘Laird’ follows the Laird of Castle Drummoch, played by Branagh, a proud Scotsman determined to defend his ancestral lands against a ruthless American billionaire who has decided he’d quite like to own the surrounding glens.

That billionaire is Peter Bergstrom, played by Sarsgaard, a self-made tech titan and land magnate whose considerable wealth and influence stretch across continents. Unfortunately for the locals, he’s apparently developed a taste for Scottish real estate and isn’t particularly interested in taking no for an answer.

Branagh’s character, however, has other ideas. He’s determined to protect his family’s legacy and the land that has belonged to them for generations, setting up a confrontation between traditional Highland heritage and the seemingly limitless buying power of modern billionaires.

Naturally, there’s more going on than a straightforward property dispute. The drama promises an epic family saga packed with long-running rivalries, hidden secrets and complicated romances, all unfolding against the spectacular backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

Think sprawling family drama with a distinctly Scottish flavour, where the arguments involve ancestral castles and land ownership rather than American cattle ranches. Given the involvement of the team behind ‘MobLand’, we’re guessing things aren’t going to remain particularly civil.

Some Serious Talent Behind The Cameras Too

The series comes from creators Jez Butterworth (MobLand, The Agency), John-Henry Butterworth (Nine Perfect Strangers, The Agency) and Georgia Lee (The 100, Partner Track).

Jez Butterworth has established himself as a major force in television drama, particularly through his work on Paramount+’s crime series ‘MobLand’, while his brother John-Henry has collaborated with him on several projects. Together with Lee, they’re bringing that experience to a story exploring power, wealth, family loyalty and the lengths people will go to protect what they consider theirs.

Behind the camera, two-time BAFTA-winning filmmaker Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Darkest Hour) is attached to direct the pilot episode. Wright’s experience with sweeping historical dramas and visually spectacular filmmaking should make him a particularly interesting choice for a series set amongst the dramatic landscapes of Scotland.

The production is a collaboration between Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, the latter being the company behind the ‘Yellowstone’ television franchise.

Branagh will also serve as an executive producer alongside David C. Glasser, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Joe Wright, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch and Keith Cox.

With a cast that now includes established award-winning performers alongside some impressive younger talent, ‘Laird’ is shaping up to be another ambitious addition to Paramount+’s growing collection of prestige dramas.

The combination of Highland scenery, feuding families, an American billionaire throwing his money around and Kenneth Branagh refusing to budge certainly sounds like it has potential. And with filming already underway, hopefully it won’t be too long before we get a first look at everyone in action.

‘Laird‘ premieres globally on Paramount+, including the UK, with a premiere date yet to be announced.

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