Casting prospects are heating up for Guy Ritchie’s upcoming Paramount+ series, The Associate, with big names like Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan on the brink of joining the ensemble. This trio, which would undoubtedly add significant star power, seems to have barely missed crossing the ‘Ts’ and dotting the ‘Is’ in their contracts. While Hardy has a history with the renowned director, having worked with him on the 2008 film RocknRolla, both Mirren and Brosnan are newcomers to the Ritchie fold.
Setting the Scene
Initially conceived as The Donovans, the series aimed to be a British spin-off of Showtime’s gritty crime-drama Ray Donovan, which ran from 2013 to 2020. Fast-forward to today, and we see that this idea has taken a turn, swapping its spin-off roots to stand alone, cutting all ties with the original series and its follow-up film. Now, under the working title The Associate, the show prepares to carve its own path in the crime drama genre.
Tom Hardy is rumored to play the role of a fixer named Harry, a problem-solver for a family steeped in crime. Cue Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, stepping into the shoes of the family’s matriarch and patriarch, respectively. Ritchie seems determined to craft a tale that’s equal parts intrigue and suspense, centered around this rather colorful group of characters.
A Closer Look at the Cast
Let’s pivot to our silver screen virgins, Mirren and Brosnan, joining the Ritchie league for the first time. Known for her prowess across various roles, Mirren continues to grace our screens as Cara Dutton in another Paramount+ offering, 1923. Meanwhile, Brosnan, our suave former James Bond, recently starred in the TV movie The Great Lillian Hall on HBO. With Hardy’s varied television experience—ranging from the cunning Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders to the enigmatic James Delaney in Taboo—one can only concoct delicious imaginations of the trio’s on-screen chemistry.
Production Buzz
Backed by Showtime/MTV Studios and 101 Studios, The Associate aims to present an hour-long storytelling format under the meticulous guidance of its creator, Guy Ritchie, as director and executive producer. Accompanied by screenwriter Ronan Bennett, this pairing strikes a promising balance in delivering the quintessential gritty Ritchie flavor fans have come to love.
Closing Credits
As negotiations tighten, the buzz around the Paramount+ release intensifies. With debut dates yet to be firmed up and casting announcements anticipated, The Associate is undoubtedly positioning itself as a notable entry into the crime drama arena. Expect further updates as soon as the elusive ink dries on those contracts. For now, here’s keeping our fingers crossed that everything aligns for this potential blockbuster small-screen venture.
