Mark Strong, the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated actor acclaimed for his performance in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, has signed on to star in a new eight-part spy thriller Deep State for Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa.
Written by Matthew Parkhill (Rogue), Simon Maxwell (American Odyssey), and Steve Thompson (Sherlock, Dr Who), Deep State is described as “an intense, character-driven espionage thriller. .... Set in Britain, The U.S., Iran, Lebanon and France; this enthralling story, shot with suspense, action and duplicity, shows the merciless reality of the world of espionage, in which an increasingly rare conscience can get you, and the ones you love, killed.”
Strong will play Max Easton, described as “a man caught between two versions of himself, the past and the present. An ex-spy, Max is brought back into the game to avenge the death of his son, only to find himself at the heart of a covert intelligence war and a conspiracy to profit from the spread of chaos throughout the Middle East.”
“Every now and again a script comes along that you just can’t put down and Deep State is exactly that – a great example of the best kind of writing,” Strong said in a statement. “The character I’m playing is completely morally conflicted - the type of role I find myself drawn to. He has to marry a secretive and extremely dangerous work life, with that of a loving father and a loyal husband, and it makes for a fascinating character study. The fast moving narrative coupled with the twists of the plot, and the complexity of the makeup of the characters make it the kind of series I’d love to watch, as well as be a part of.”
Karima McAdams (Fearless, Vikings) joins Strong in the role of Leyla Toumi, “a smart and uncompromising elite, Intelligence Operative.”
The series will begin shooting in May.
