Andrew Scott
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‘Fleabag’ star Andrew Scott has joined the cast of the already-announced second season of HBO and the BBC’s series ‘His Dark Materials’, based on the book series by Phillip Pullman.  Scott will portray Colonel John Parry, also known as Jopari, the father of the character Will Parry, who will be played by Amir Wilson.  The show’s Twitter account announced Scott’s casting, by posting a picture of the actor with co-star Lin-Manuel Miranda who plays Lee Scoresby, a character that Miranda describes as “the Han Solo of this story.”

In the books, Will doesn’t remember his father John, an explorer who disappeared when Will was a baby.  As a result, Will has had to spend his childhood caring for his mother who suffers mental ailments.  So it’s unlikely that Scott will have an ongoing role on the series.  Elaine Parry’s casting has not yet been announced.

Dafne Keen will appear in Season 1 as young Lyra Belacqua, the show’s main character.  Ruth Wilson portrays the show’s antagonist, “the cesspit of moral filth” and “the mother of all evil,” Marisa Coulter, while James McAvoy portrays Lord Asriel, a high-ranking operative of The Church.  Clarke Peters appears as The Master/Dr. Carne.

Andrew Scott has received notice for playing the “hot priest” on Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Fleabag’.  He may also be known for playing Moriarty on ‘Sherlock’, appearing in the “Smithereens” episode of ‘Black Mirror’, and he voices Obake on ‘Big Hero 6: The Series’.  He will be seen in another upcoming Amazon series, ‘Modern Love’ and in Sam Mendes World War I film ‘1917’.

Season 1 of ‘His Dark Materials’ will premier on BBC One and HBO (in the US) in late 2019.

Source: Variety