Filmmaker Andrew Haigh broke out in 2017 thanks to the indie film “Lean on Pete.” Since then, the director has been someone film fans have been keeping an eye on. And it seems like his next project “The North Water” is shaping up to be a limited series that everyone will want to check out.
Deadline is reporting that Haigh has brought on actor Jack O’Connell to star in the upcoming series. O’Connell will play Patrick Sumner, an ex-army doctor that joins a murderer on a ship that is venturing into the artic during the mid-19th-century. O’Connell joins previously announced actor Colin Farrell, who will play the aforementioned murderer Henry Drax.
READ MORE: Colin Farrell Joins Andrew Haigh’s ‘The North Water’ For The BBC
Haigh said, “Jack is a fiercely instinctual actor who brings nuance and complexity to every character he plays. I can’t wait to see him bring Patrick Sumner to life.”
O’Connell became an actor to watch after starring in the Angelina Jolie-directed “Unbroken.” And since then, he has lined up great project after great project, with roles alongside Charlie Hunnam in the upcoming “Jungleland,” Laura Dern in “Trial by Fire,” and Kristen Stewart in “Against All Enemies.” Oh, and he’s also at the center of all those ridiculous Batman rumors.
READ MORE: Andrew Haigh On ‘Lean On Pete,’ ‘The North Water’ And The State Of Gay Film [Podcast]
“The North Water” won’t be some massive TV epic. Instead, the series will consist of three hour-long episodes and one 90-minute finale. So, by today’s standards, the BBC drama will be very, very binge-watch friendly.
There’s no word on a release date as of yet, but production is expected to begin sometime in the fall.