Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson Lead Cast of New Ken Follett Adaptation

MUNICH: Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) is on board to star in Tandem’s adaptation of the Ken Follett best-seller World Without End, with a cast that also includes Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line) and Peter Firth (MI5).

Principal photography is to begin next month, starting July 11. The series is being produced with a $44 million budget. Nixon, Richardson, Chaplin and Firth star alongside Charlotte Riley (The Duchess), Rupert Evans (HellBoy) and Nora van Waldstaetten (Carlos). Director Michael Caton-Jones is at the helm. The event is being produced by Tandem Communications (The Pillars of the Earth, The Company) and Take5 Productions (The Tudors, The Borgias) in co-production with Galafilm (Race to Mars, St. Urbain’s Horseman) in association with Ridley Scott and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Films (The Good Wife, The Andromeda Strain).

“Our strategy has always been to bring cinematic values to television,” said Rola Bauer, the executive producer and managing director of Tandem Communications. “In addition to having Michael Caton-Jones’ strong and experienced directorial vision on all eight hours of this epic thriller, we have assembled an exemplary cast who will make these great characters come alive on screen and attract audiences worldwide.”

“Michael Caton-Jones’ approach to this epic, yet populist adventure will prove an addictive journey,” commented Ridley Scott of Scott Free. “He will capture audiences worldwide with the rich narrative and his visually compelling style.”

"I am thrilled to be working with Tandem and Scott Free on World Without End," added Caton-Jones. "They are totally committed to the highest-possible quality on this event series and have encouraged and supported my cinematic vision. I have enormous pride in the cast we’re assembling and I have no doubt they’ll breathe life into the fascinating characters of this epic story."

“After seeing the wonderful results of The Pillars of the Earth, I am very excited that the camera will start rolling in a couple of weeks on World Without End,” Follett remarked. “John Pielmeier’s thrilling adaptation, coupled with the creative integrity that Rola Bauer’s Tandem and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, bring to the production—then throw in a cast of this amazing caliber on top—what more could a book author wish for!”

 “My colleague Fred Fuchs was involved with Tandem’s The Pillars of the Earth, and therefore we were excited to partner with Tandem on World Without End,” said John Weber, the president of Take5 Productions. “We are very proud to be the Canadian coproducing partner on this very prestigious project.”