Paramount+ orders Kenneth Branagh drama Laird about Highlands estate feud
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Paramount+ has greenlit "Laird", a drama series starring Kenneth Branagh, marking a rare major television lead role for the Oscar-winning actor and giving the streamer another prestige addition to its growing scripted slate. The show comes from Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, already known for Paramount+'s "The Agency" and "Mobland", alongside co-creator Georgia Lee, and centres on the Laird of Castle Drummoch as he fights to stop a wealthy American businessman from buying up his Scottish Highlands estate.
Branagh stars and executive produces, joined by a substantial producing team including David Glasser, director Joe Wright, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch and Keith Cox, with Wright also directing the pilot. Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios are producing, extending an existing partnership that already spans several Paramount+ originals. Executives described the series as an epic family saga about resisting "oligarchical land grabbing", with Branagh bringing the pedigree of eight Oscar nominations, a screenwriting win for "Belfast" and an Emmy for "Conspiracy" to the project.
- Paramount+ orders "Laird", starring Kenneth Branagh as a Scottish landowner
- Show is from "The Agency" and "Mobland" creators the Butterworth brothers
- Joe Wright directs the pilot; 101 Studios and Paramount TV produce
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Paramount+ is the streaming service owned by Paramount, and it has commissioned a new drama series called Laird. The story centres on a fictional Laird, or Scottish estate owner, fighting to keep his Highlands estate out of the hands of a wealthy American businessman who wants to buy it. Kenneth Branagh, a well-known actor and director, is set to star and also serves as an executive producer.
The series comes from writers Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, working with Georgia Lee, with Joe Wright directing. Branagh has worked with the Butterworth brothers before, and the show is being made by Paramount Television Studios together with 101 Studios, the company behind other big Paramount+ titles.
The project matters because it signals continued investment by Paramount+ in prestige drama with well-known creative names attached, at a time when streaming services compete heavily for subscribers through original, star-led programming.
More coverage
- The Hollywood Reporter — Paramount+ Orders Scottish Highland Family Saga ‘Laird’ With Kenneth Branagh
- Deadline — Kenneth Branagh Stars In Scottish Highland Drama ‘Laird’ Ordered By Paramount+ From Jez Butterworth & 101 Studios
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Originally published by Variety as “Kenneth Branagh to Star in Paramount+ Drama ‘Laird’ Set in Scottish Highlands”.