Emily Blunt is set to saddle up and lead The English, a six-section “high-octane epic Western” for the BBC and Amazon Studios.
Nightfall alum Chaske Spencer will likewise star in the drama series from Hugo Blick (Black Earth Rising, The Honorable Woman) and delivered by Drama Republic (Doctor Foster, Us, Black Earth Rising).
Other cast members include Rafe Spall (The Salisbury Poisonings, Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom), Tom Hughes (A Discovery of Witches, Victoria), Stephen Rea (The Shadow Line, The Honorable Woman), Valerie Pachner (The Kingsman), Toby Jones (Marvelous, Detectorists), Ciaran Hinds (The Terror, The Woman dressed in Black), Malcolm Storry (The Princess Bride, Doc Martin), Steve Wall (Raised by Wolves, The Witcher), Nichola McAuliffe (Tomorrow Never Dies, Doctor Who), Sule Rimi (Black Earth Rising, Strike Back) and Cristian Solimeno (Avenue 5, Guilt).
Set in the mythic mid-American landscape of 1890, The English — which has now begun creation in Spain — follows Cornelia Locke (Blunt), an Englishwoman who shows up into the West to wreak revenge on the man she sees as answerable for the demise of her child. After gathering Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), an ex-rangers scout and individual from the Pawnee Nation by birth, they unite and find a common history which should be crushed no matter what, if both of them are to endure.
“The chance to make a Western with Emily Blunt and the cast is so delicious I’m still wondering if it’s one of those weird dreams we were all having during lockdown,” said Blick. “If not, a thrilling, romantic, epic horse-opera is heading to your screen sometime next year, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
The show will be accessible on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K., just as Amazon Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
“Hugo Blick has created a compelling, modern love story set against the epic landscape of a Western,” said Greg Brenman, CEO of Drama Republic. “The English is a true adventure that will tell us as much about the times we live in today as the period in which it is set.”
Brenman will executive produce for Drama Republic close by Blick and Blunt. Mona Qureshi will chief produce for the BBC. The maker is Colin Wratten (Killing Eve, The Witness for the Prosecution). The English has been authorized for the BBC by Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, and Piers Wenger, regulator of BBC Drama Commissioning. Amazon Studios is co-delivering in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in relationship with All3Media global. IllumiNative is counseling on the series.