Showtime's Penny Dreadful has found its Frankenstein.
The Lone Ranger's Harry Treadaway has joined the cast of the cable network's horror drama from John Logan (Gladiator) and will play Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Showtime also announced Monday that Skyfall's Rory Kinnear will join the cast as a mysterious character of "haunting intensity."
The eight-episode drama revolves around some of literature's famed monsters -- including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and figures from the Dracula -- weaving together classic horror origin stories as the characters grapple with their monstrous alienation.
STORY: 'Spider-Man's' Reeve Carney Nabs Key Role in Showtime's 'Penny Dreadful' (Exclusive)
Treadaway and Kinnear join a previously announced cast that also includes Reeve Carney (Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) as Dorian Grey; Timothy Dalton as Sir Malcolm, a tough African explorer on a deeply personal quest; Josh Hartnett as Ethan; and Eva Green as Vanessa, the lone female in the story.
Penny Dreadful was created by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan (Skyfall), who will write and executive produce alongside Academy Award winner Sam Mendes and Neal Street's Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road). Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) directs the first two episodes.
The psychosexual horror series will begin production in October in London. The series will debut in spring 2014.
Treadaway (Showtime's Meadowlands, Control) recently finished filming the lead role opposite Rose Leslie in the indie feature Honeymoon. He's repped by ICM Partners and Principal Entertainment. Kinnear is best known for his role as Bill Tanner in Quantum of Solace and most recently Skyfall. He's with Markham Froggatt and Irwin.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
