EXCLUSIVE: Slow Horses star Jack Lowden looks to be reuniting with Apple on one of the streamers more highly-anticipated series as sources tell Deadline the Emmy-nominated actor is set to star in an untitled series based on on Metropolis from Philip Kerr’s globally bestselling book series Berlin Noir. Insiders also tell Deadline, BAFTA Award nominee Tom Shankland will direct as well as exec produce the series.
Peter Straughan, who recently won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for his work on Conclave, will serve as showrunner as well as adapting the script and will also exe produce. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will also exec produce through their Playtone banner. Playtone and Apple most recently worked together on the World War II series The Masters of the Air. The series will be filmed in Berlin.
The Berlin Noir book series features the iconic detective, Bernie Gunther, and this adaptation begins with Metropolis and his origin story in 1928. Gunther is a police officer, newly promoted to the intimidating and elite Berlin Murder Squad, and must investigate what seems to be a serial killer targeting victims on the fringes of society. His Berlin is a city of unprecedented freedom and dizzying turbulence, the Nazis just a distant nightmare waiting in the wings. With the political and social world shifting to a new norm, we see Bernie fighting for truth, whatever the cost.
Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch and Ryan Rasmussen executive produce for Bad Wolf, alongside Peter Straughan.
Kerr is the author of fourteen Bernie Gunther novels, translated into many languages and bestsellers in the US and the UK. He finished Metropolis shortly before he died from cancer in 2018 so it is both the first and last Bernie novel. His widow, the novelist Jane Thynne, owns the copyright in the Bernie Gunther novels through their company Thynker Ltd c/o United agents.
Lowden and Apple have strong ties following the success of the hit, Emmy-winning drama series Slow Horses, which have racked up numerous accolades and earned Lowden a supporting actor nomination following the recent season. The new season premieres on Sept. 24.
Lowden is currently filming the highly-anticipated Pride & Prejudice series for Netflix, which also stars Emma Corrin and Olivia Colman. He is repped by Conway van Gelder Grant in the UK and UTA in the US.
As for Shankland, he most recently directed the Netflix series House of Guinness starring Anthony Boyle. He is repped by Hugo Young and Independent Talent Group.
