Oscar-winning superstar Julia Roberts will narrate the BBC’s upcoming adaptation of Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul.
The move is the Erin Brokovich star’s first such BBC role and will see her provide narration for the show about two board-gaming friends in their thirties. The friends meander through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves and the expansion of the Universe.
Revealed by Deadline several weeks back, Leonard and Hungry Paul for the BBC and Irish broadcaster RTÉ stars Laurie Kynaston (Fool Me Once, The Sandman), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls, Screw) and Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World, Alien: Earth). Also joining the cast are Helen Behan (The Virtues), Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands), Niamh Branigan (Harry Wild), Paul Reid (Sherlock & Daughter), Charlotte McCurry (Say Nothing) and David O’Reilly (Doctors).
Subotica is producing the show with Avalon. Tristan Orpen Lynch, Executive Producer for Subotica, said: “It is truly wonderful to have the amazingly talented Julia Roberts join the production, we had heard she was a big fan of Rónán’s beautiful book and she brings a real warmth and genuine compassionate understanding to this important role which guides us through the unique world and special characters.”
Roberts is a huge coup for the show, which looks set to be a huge one coming out of BBC Northern Ireland.
She is currently in Venice promoting Luca Guadagnino’s ng cancel culture drama After The Hunt.
