EXCLUSIVE: The White Lotus and Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs is joining Maika Monroe and Thomasin McKenzie in psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, which Anton is selling at the Cannes market.
Isaacs will be stepping into the role of Mr. Pounds, the owner of the estate who employs the young, eccentric governess Winifred Notty. Zachary Wigon directs from a script by author Virginia Feito, based on her novel in which Notty arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.
Pic is produced by Dan Kagan (Longlegs) under his Traffic. banner as well as Sébastien Raybaud (Greenland: Migration) for Anton and Wigon, in association with Anonymous Content. Nick Shumaker, Bard Dorros and Virginia Feito will executive produce.
Anton is financing the film and is repping international rights. U.S. rights are with Anton, UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance. Production is being lined up to begin in August of this year after an eventful journey to this point.
Wigon said: “Jason depicts the nuances of human psychology and behavior with enormous precision. I’m thrilled for him to be joining Victorian Psycho – it’ll be fascinating to watch him bring to life the enigmatic and mercurial owner of Ensor House, Mr. John Pounds.”
Isaacs most recently starred in the third season of HBO’s hit The White Lotus. Additional credits include Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter film series, Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin, and series Star Trek: Discovery, and Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down.
Isaacs is repped by Independent Talent Group, The Gersh Agency, and Strand Entertainment.
