Halo TV series adds Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine, and others to cast

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Showtime has announced that six new cast members are coming in hot for the cabler's series based on Microsoft's mega-popular Halo video game franchise. Now set to star opposite Pablo Schreiber for the sci-fi epic are CALIFORNIACATION actress Natascha McElhone and Emmy nominee Bokeem Woodbine. According to sources, McElhone will play two characters – Dr. Catherine Halsey, the brilliant, conflicted and inscrutable creator of the Spartan supersoldiers and Cortana, the most advanced AI in human history, and potentially the key to the survival of the human race. As for Woodbine, the FARGO alum is expected to stand tall as Soren-066, a morally complex privateer at the fringes of human civilization whose fate will bring him into conflict with his former military masters and his old friend, the Master Chief.

In addition to McElhone and Woodbine, it was announced via Showtime's presentation at TCA that Shabana Azmi (FIRE), Bentley Kalu (AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON), Natasha Culzac (THE WITCHER), and Kate Kennedy (DAMASCENE) will also star. As per today's conference, Azmi will play Admiral Margaret Parangosky, the head of the Office of Naval Intelligence.

The series also has plans to introduce three all-new characters to the Halo universe, such as Kalu's Spartan Vannak-134, a cybernetically augmented supersoldier conscripted at childhood who serves as the defacto deputy to the Master Chief. As for Culzac, THE STRANGERS actress will enter the show as Spartan Riz-028, a focused, professional and deadly, cybernetically enhanced killing machine. Moving on down the line, we find Kennedy starring as Spartan Kai-125, an all-new courageous, curious and deadly Spartan supersoldier. Joining the aforementioned actors is also Yerin Ha, who will play Kwan Ha, a shrewd, audacious 16-year-old from the Outer Colonies who meets Master Chief at a fateful time for them both. (via Deadline)

Produced by Showtime as part of a partnership with 343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, Showtime's Halo TV series is to be directed by British filmmaker Otto Bathurst. As per the deal, Bathurst will helm several episodes of the live-action series which is based on the best-selling Halo video game franchise from Bungie and Xbox Game Studios. Executive producing the series are Steven Kane, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey of Amblin Television, director Otto Bathurst and Toby Leslie for One Big Picture, and Kyle Killen and Scott Pennington for Chapter Eleven.

The first installment of the Halo video game series arrived in 2001 with Microsoft's release of Halo: Combat Evolved. Since that time, the Halo franchise has been expanded by way of several gaming sequels, internet shorts, novels, and strategy-based board games. All told, the Halo franchise has sold more than 77 million units worldwide and has grossed over $60 billion dollars in the time that it's remained a favorite among FPS and RTS video game enthusiasts.

Production for Showtime's Halo series will begin in Budapest later this year with plans for a first quarter 2021 premiere.