Molly Parker, Brian J. Smith to Lead ITV Studios Drama ‘Essex County’

Molly Parker (“Misplaced in Area”) and Brian J. Smith (“Treadstone”) have been forged in upcoming Canadian ITV Studios drama “Essex County.”

Becoming a member of them as lead forged are Stephen McHattie (“October Faction”), Finlay Wojtak-Hissong (“Blood”) and Kevin Durand (“Pantheon”). Christina Piovesan, govt producer and CEO of First Era Movies unveiled the casting.

The five-episode collection relies on Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel of the identical title, which explores themes of loss, betrayal, trauma and redemption by way of two households dwelling in a rural neighborhood. Lemire can be writing and showrunning the collection, which is directed by Andrew Cividino (“Schitt’s Creek”).

Following the loss of life of his mom, 11-year-old Lester (Wojtak-Hissong) strikes in along with his uncle Ken (Smith), a stoic farmer, who should elevate Lester whereas coping along with his personal grief. Lester quickly turns to Jimmy (Durand) as a surrogate father though Jimmy can barely take care of himself. In the meantime Anne (Parker) is scuffling with caring for her estranged uncle Lou (McHattie) in addition to empty nest syndrome whereas her daughter heads to school.

By means of Lou and Lester the viewers enter a world of magic realism as Lou’s current merges along with his previous whereas Lester escapes into his creativeness in a bid to flee his grief.

Manufacturing wrapped in Ontario final month and the present will probably be launched at Mipcom subsequent week by distributor ITV Studios and Media Musketeers Studios.

It’s set to premiere on CBC and CBC Gem subsequent winter.

“This emotionally highly effective and imaginative story of loss and loneliness in rural Ontario speaks to our common longing to higher perceive and join with one another in our personal households and communities, and we will’t wait to look at this distinctive forged deliver Jeff’s characters and imaginative and prescient to life,” mentioned Sally Catto, basic supervisor for leisure, factual and sports activities at CBC.

Julie Medal-Johnsen, EVP for international content material at ITV Studios added: “It’s an actual privilege to deliver Jeff and Eilis’ deeply intimate, emotional, and finally redemptive story to audiences all over the place. We’re assured our patrons will recognize how particular and distinctive ‘Essex County’ is, there’s really nothing else available on the market like this.”

Chris Regulation, Managing Associate at Media Musketeers Studios, mentioned: “Since first chatting with Christina Piovesan about Essex County, Media Musketeers Studios has needed to assist deliver this stunning story to screens around the globe. We couldn’t have discovered a extra enthusiastic accomplice than ITVS, who instantly fell in love with the challenge and shared our imaginative and prescient as to its worldwide enchantment.”