Deadline reports that Showtime will finally start filming Halo TV series this month. The article also reveals additions to the show’s cast. Olive Gray (Sex Education, Fleabag) will play Dr. Miranda Keyes, a scientist studying alien technology and culture. Charlie Murphy (Misfits, Peaky Blinders, Ripper Street) will portray Makee, an orphan raised by aliens to hate and despise humanity. Danny Sapani (Penny Dreadful, Doctor Who, Black Panther) will play Captain Jacob Keyes, an experienced soldier working with his daughter and ex-wife.
In April, Deadline announced that Pablo Schreiber (American Gods, Orange is the New Black) will play Master Chief. The lead character from Halo games, Master Chief is one of Spartans, a series of super-soldiers first developed by Dr. Catherine Halsey. Natascha McElhone (Solaris, The Truman Show) will portray Dr. Halsey as well as Cortana, humanity’s most advanced AI. Shabana Azmi (Fire), Natasha Culzac (The Witcher), Bentley Kalu (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Kate Kennedy (Catastrophe), Yerin Ha (Reef Break) and Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo) are other currently known cast members.
Showtime ordered 10-episode season of Halo back in June 2018. But then the network went silent. Although disappointing, this was hardly surprising. Showtime’s adaptation of the popular franchise of sci-fi video games disappeared into development hell since 2013. At one point, Neil Blomkamp (District 9) and Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) were parts of this production. Currently, Otto Bathurst (Robin Hood) will direct the show’s pilot and Kyle Killen is the showrunner.
