Kenneth Branagh to star in Paramount+ drama 'Laird'
Paramount+ has ordered the drama series “Laird,” with Kenneth Branagh star Paramount+’s new Scottish Highlands saga in the lead. The epic family story comes from Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Georgia Lee, with Joe Wright directing the pilot and Branagh also executive producing.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount+ has picked up “Laird,” starring Kenneth Branagh as the Laird of Castle Drummoch.
- The series is an epic family saga set in the Scottish Highlands, pitting a proud Scot against a shadowy American billionaire.
- Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Georgia Lee created the show; Joe Wright is attached to direct the pilot.
- Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios produce, with Branagh among a wide executive producer slate.
The pickup puts another high-profile drama on the streamer’s slate and keeps Branagh front and center in a prestige TV vehicle. For more streaming castings and renewals, follow Streaming & TV Alerts on BlasterPost.
What is Paramount+’s ‘Laird’ about?
According to Variety, the logline frames “Laird” as an epic family saga. A proud Scot defies a shadowy American billionaire hellbent on buying up the glens.
Family feuds, buried secrets and star-crossed romances swirl around the conflict. Through it all, the Laird of Castle Drummoch—played by Branagh—remains determined to protect his ancestral lands from oligarchical land grabbing.
Jane Wiseman, head of Originals for Paramount+, said the series is about one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power. She framed that fight to protect what matters most as universally resonant, and said audiences will root for Branagh’s Laird.
Who is behind the Kenneth Branagh star Paramount+ series?
The show hails from Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, co-creators of Paramount+’s “The Agency.” Jez Butterworth is also co-creator and showrunner of Paramount+’s “Mobland.” Georgia Lee is a co-creator on “Laird.”
Both Butterworths executive produce, and Branagh executive produces as well as stars. David Glasser, Joe Wright, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch and Keith Cox also executive produce. Wright is attached to direct the pilot.
Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios produce the series. Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television Studios, praised the creative team and said the studio is thrilled to partner again with 101 Studios. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, said working with Jez and John-Henry has been an incredible experience and that he is thrilled to take another epic journey with them.
Paramount and 101 already share several projects, including Taylor Sheridan’s slate at the streamer, plus “The Agency” and “Mobland.”
Why does Kenneth Branagh’s casting matter for viewers?
Branagh is best known for film work and has eight Oscar nominations. He won best original screenplay in 2022 for “Belfast,” which he also directed. Acting credits include “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Oppenheimer,” plus “My Week with Marilyn” and multiple turns as Hercule Poirot.
On television, he is a four-time Emmy nominee and won outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie for “Conspiracy.” He was also nominated for “Shackleton,” “Warm Springs” and “Wallander.”
No premiere date was announced in the report. Even so, the combination of Branagh, Wright and the Butterworths signals a major bet on Highlands-set prestige drama for Paramount+.