Casting news for the biographical series Archie, created by Jeff Pope, has been released. A diverse ensemble, including Laura Aikman as Cary Grant’s ex-wife, will play with Jason Isaacs in the upcoming series on the life of the renowned actor. The final cast members for Pope’s biographical series have reportedly been decided, per Deadline. The casting of Isaacs, well known for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films among many other television and film roles, as Grant at the height of his stardom was confirmed in August. In a previous comment, Isaacs added, “There was only one Cary Grant, and I’d never be dumb enough to try to step into his famous shoes.” Grant’s mother, Elise Leach, will be played by Harriet Walter (Succession), and Aikman (The Rising), who will portray Grant’s ex-wife, Dyan Cannon.
Dainton Anderson (Patrick Melrose), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton), and Oaklee Prendergast (Ally McBeal) will all play juvenile versions of Grant’s namesake Archie Leach (Home). Kara Tointon will play Elsie as a young adult (Mr Selfridge). An abundance of other British actors and actresses will join Isaacs. The cast includes many familiar faces from British television, including Henry Lloyd-Hughes (Killing Eve), Ian Pulston-Davies (Coronation Street), Ian McNeice (Doc Martin), Jason Watkins (The Crown), Lisa Faulkner (EastEnders), and Niamh Cusah (Death in Paradise) in the roles of other significant figures in Grant’s life.
The release of Pope’s biopic series is scheduled for later in the year. Cannon is on board as an executive producer, so Pope may move through with the series with her approval. Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter, and Rebecca Hodgson, a fellow producer, will also be involved in the show. Grant has followed in her father’s footsteps as an actress, having previously played the parts of Nicky Carter in 1996’s Savage, Carol in 2015’s Ghost Squad, Celeste Lundy in Beverly Hills, 90210, Nina Bookbinder in Friends, and Sedona Wylie in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Grant also has the documentary experience, having portrayed herself in the 2017 film Becoming Cary Grant, another documentary on her father. Later this year, Archie will premiere on ITV’s (distributed by ITV Studios) brand-new streaming service, ITVX, with the linear debut following a few months later. Grant, a famous actor, will have his life and career chronicled by Archie. Grant was born Archibald Alec Leach in Bristol, and the first episode of the biographical series will focus on his early life. The series will cover his upbringing in a poor family, including his reactions to his father’s infidelity and the murder of his brother John. The show will follow him as he adjusts to life in America, from his rise to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men through his eventual retirement. His personal life, including his two failed marriages, will be explored as part of this.
Later this year, ITVX will debut the Archie series.