Netflix shares huge update about 'scandalous' romance based on best-seller
Netflix has just announced three actors joining the cast of its forthcoming romance drama, Unaccustomed Earth.
Based on a best-selling story collection by American author Jhumpa Lahiri, the drama will explore the lives of Indian American characters as they navigate cultural identity, romance and belonging.
The streamer's synopsis reads: "Unaccustomed Earth is an epic, soapy drama about an immigrant community navigating love, desire, and belonging with Freida Pinto at the centre as Parul Chaudhury.
"When a star-crossed romance between a devoted wife and her long-lost love comes to light, a scandalous affair is born and new battle lines are drawn in the elite, insular Indian American community of Cambridge, Massachusetts."
The streaming giant has now confirmed that Pinto will star alongside Indraneil Sengupta, Adi Roy, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig.
The leading lady, Pinto, is best known for her role in Slumdog Millionaire, which impressively won eight Academy Awards in 2009.
Sengupta, who will play Jai, is known for his roles in films such as Kahaani and Netflix's family drama The Fame Game.
Broadway actor Roy, who plays Kaushik, has starred in stage productions of Aladdin and Jagged Little Pill.
Meanwhile, Mckaig, who viewers might recognise from Emmerdale or Netflix 's Toxic Town, steps into the role of Herna. The 18-year-old, from Yorkshire, gushed about Yorkshire-born actors gaining international recognition following the announcement.
She said: "Yorkshire actors are more than just the place they come from. There's real talent if you look at actors like Dominic West, Jodie Whittaker, Sean Bean in films and shows like Phantom Menace, The Crown, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who.
"We have so much more to offer to global productions, and it's so nice to see that really being recognised now."
The eight-episode series will be executive produced by John Wells (Shameless) and Madhuri Shekar (3 Body Problem), with Shekar additionally serving as a showrunner.
Other executive producers include Nisha Ganatra (Freakier Friday), Erica Saleh (One of Us Is Lying), Erin Jontow (The Pitt), and Celia Costas (Meet Joe Black).
BAFTA nominee Ritesh Batra is also among the producers and is set to direct the first two episodes.
Unaccustomed Earth is yet to land an official release date.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club sees Harry Potter star in huge role
Netflix is bringing Richard Osman's book, The Thursday Murder Club, to screens with a film adaptation that promises to be a hit. The director is known for his work on Harry Potter. Netflix has gone all out for the film adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling novel, The Thursday Murder Club – packed with a killer cast and a well-known director behind the camera. Set in the picturesque Coopers Chase retirement village in Kent, the story follows four sharp-minded pensioners who meet weekly to pore over unsolved crimes. But when a real-life murder falls into their laps, they swap coffees and chit chat for sleuthing. Behind the camera is Chris Columbus, the director behind the first two Harry Potter films, Mrs Doubtfire and Home Alone. His time on the Potter franchise gave him a deep affection for Britain and its quirky humour. 'During Potter, I spent five years living in the UK,' he says. 'I grew quite fond of the dark, edgy British humour and I managed to incorporate some of that into those films and much more of it into The Thursday Murder Club .' Finding a writer to adapt Richard Osman 's work was tricky. 'I was a fan of the books, but the initial scripts I read veered far from the novel,' Chris says. 'I felt this was a mistake and I wanted to preserve what everyone loved about the book.' Enter actress and comedian Katy Brand. Chris says, 'When I met with Katy, I was convinced she not only understood what made the novel so popular, but she also had the vision to write a film that was faithful to the source material.' Leading the charge in the line-up is Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best. Throughout her career, Helen has played everything from steely assassins to Queen Elizabeth II. Now, she's playing a woman with a past shrouded in secrecy. 'We can tell she was someone powerful and substantial, but it's all a bit secret,' Helen says. 'Was she a high level politician? Was she a high level operative in MI5 or MI6? She never quite talks about it, but we get a sense. She's tough, she's smart and she has witnessed some heavy duty things.' Joining her is Pierce Brosnan, best known for donning James Bond 's tuxedos. He trades spying for laughs to play Ron Ritchie. 'Ron is a stout fellow of good character,' Pierce says. 'He doesn't particularly want to be at Coopers Chase, but there's a time in life when you just have to hang up your spurs.' Ron's good friend Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley) is a psychiatrist whose skills prove invaluable to the club's investigations. 'He's clearly empathetic because he's a psychiatrist and he needs to interpret patterns of human behaviour in order to heal,' Ben says. 'Now he can bring those same skills to a forensic quest to solve unsolved police cases through empathy, knowledge of patterns of human behaviour, compassion and imagination.' Elizabeth strikes up a bond with newcomer Joyce Meadowcroft, a recently widowed woman who's determined to fit in. Celia Imrie brings Joyce to life. 'Sir Laurence Olivier always said you've got to like the person you're playing – and I really did,' says Celia. 'Joyce has an innocence about her. She's unsure of herself but fun, enthusiastic and a good sport. At the beginning of the film she wants, very much, to be included and is especially keen to make new friends.' The four pals cross paths with PC Donna De Freitas, played by Naomi Ackie, a police officer they help unofficially – to the irritation of her superior. 'It was a really big pull for me to work with these juggernauts of British screen, who I've looked up to for a long time,' says Naomi. 'Having them consolidated into one project was really great. They are so gracious with their talent and it's been a real joy getting to know them.' The drama isn't confined to the murder mystery. David Tennant joins the mix as Ian Ventham, co-owner of Coopers Chase, whose redevelopment plans could force residents out. 'He's not the most sympathetic character,' David says. 'He's just someone who's got himself in a very particular situation and doesn't have the people skills to get through life with as much charm as one might hope he should have.' The love for the novels also runs deeply within the cast. 'I was one of the many millions who read the book and loved it,' says Helen. 'I was utterly charmed by it. My friends who read the book said, 'If they ever make a movie, you have to play Elizabeth.'' For Pierce, the project was a chance to collaborate with Chris again. 'He's s an old pal,' he says. 'He seems to come around every 10 years or so with wonderful jobs for me. He sent me the script and I loved it.' The Thursday Murder Club is released on Netflix on August 28th.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Music legend revealed love for 'historic' Glasgow venue
Nile Rodgers & CHIC performed at the Barrowland Ballroom in the East End on Tuesday, August 12 and Wednesday, August 13. Following their gig, Nile, 72, shared his love for the well-known venue. In an Instagram post, the American musician, songwriter, and record producer said the Barrowlands is an 'uplifting stop to play' while on tour. READ MORE: American music legend announced exciting Glasgow gig In the post, the star said: "This historic Barrowlands is an uplifting stop to play." Nile is known for being the co-founder of CHIC (Nile Rodgers & CHIC), who are an American band. The Barrowland Ballroom is one of Glasgow's most famous music venues, which has hosted several big names over the years. It is located in the East End, next to the Barras Markets. It was originally built by Maggie McIver as a dance hall in 1934. READ MORE: Legendary British 90s band announced Glasgow concert READ MORE: Oasis support act's huge promise ahead of Glasgow gig However, in 1958, the building was largely destroyed by a fire, but the venue reopened in 1960 after extensive renovations. Since 1983, the prestigious venue has been used as a concert venue.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Thursday Murder Club creator shares 'mistake' with initial scripts
The film is based on Richard Osman's 2020 novel of the same name, but not everything has made it into the adaptation. The Thursday Murder Club, which now has a full trailer, airs on Netflix on August 28 and fans of Richard Osman's novel are desperate to see how it has been adapted for the small screen. Boasting a star-studded cast, the movie follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but they end up with a real whodunit on their hands. The film stars Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim and Celia Imrie as Joyce, and it was directed by Chris Columbus. Chris said of the film: "There's a wonderful mystery at its core, so fans of detective and thriller films will not be disappointed. "Thematically, I found it interesting that at the heart of the novel, there are four elderly people, living in a retirement community, who are obsessed with death and murder. "They are in the last act of their lives, facing their own mortality, yet they are somehow obsessed with studying cold cases that deal with violent murders. I fell in love with that concept. It's darkly comedic and deeply emotional.' Translating the complex 350 page novel, which is full of plot twists, into a screenplay was actor and comedian Katy Brand's responsibility. 'I remember thinking 'there's so much to play with here – it's such an explosion of ideas.' My immediate sense regarding adapting the book was that I wanted to draw out the emotion and Chris Columbus seemed to respond to that when we first met," she said. Chris opened up about how he initially became involved in the project, admitting the first scripts were not to his liking. He said: "I was a fan of the books, but the initial scripts I read veered far from the novel. I felt that this was a mistake and I wanted to preserve what everyone loved about the book. "When I first met with the writer, Katy Brand, I was convinced that she not only understood what made the novel so incredibly popular with readers around the world. "But she also had the vision to write a film that was faithful to the source material. Katy's draft was wonderful. "And it was because of that draft that we were able to get so many British acting legends to commit to our film." The film also stars Naomi Ackie as PC Donna De Freitas, Daniel Mays as DCI Chris Hudson, Tom Ellis as Jason Ritchie, Jonathan Pryce as Stephen Best and David Tennant as Ian Ventham. The Thursday Murder Club airs on Netflix on August 28
