Amazon’s remake of the beloved UK seriesUtopiais filling out its cast, adding four actors, includingYou’re the WorststarDesmin Borges, Collider has learned.Ashleigh LaThrop,Farrah MackenzieandChristopher Denhamhave also joined the ensemble.
InUtopia, a group of young adults who meet online are mercilessly hunted by a shadowy deep state organization after they come in to possession of a near-mythical cult underground graphic novel. They discover the conspiracy theories in the comic’s pages may actually be real and are forced into the dangerous, unique and ironic position of saving the world.
Sasha Laneis already set to star as on-the-run protagonist Jessica Hyde, whileRainn Wilsonwill play under-appreciated scientists Michael Stearns.
Borges will play Wilson Wilson, a brilliant, paranoid and eccentric conspiracy theorist who is obsessed with ‘Utopia’ and convinced it hides more dark secrets about the very future of our world.
LaThrop will play Becky, who uses her kindness and empathy as a way to get closer to the graphic novel she desperately needs to save her life.
Mackenzie will play Alice, an adopted foster child with a steely resolve who is thrown into the dangerous world of our Nerds.
Denham will play Arby, a shark-like menace who is emotionally stunted and socially disconnected. His cold facade begins crumbling as he learns some dangerous truths about his childhood.
Utopiahails from creatorGillian Flynn(Gone Girl) who will serve as showrunner. She’ll also executive produce alongside originalUtopiacreatorDennis Kelly, whose series became a cult hit over the course of two six-episode seasons between 2013 and 2014. Amazon has ordered a nine-episode first season ofUtopia, which is a co-production between Endemol Shine North America, Kudos, and Amazon Studios. Executive producers also includeSharon Hall,Karen WilsonandJessica Rhoades, the latter of whom worked with Flynn on HBO’s limited seriesSharp Objects.Sharon Levywill oversee production for Endemol Shine.
LaThrop is a trained theater actress who has appeared in both of theFifty Shades of Greysequels and enjoyed a recurring role on the USA comedySirens. She’ll soon be seen in a season-long arc on the third season ofThe Handmaid’s Tale, as well as on the CW’sThe 100. Before shootingUtopia, she will film the second season of Netflix’s Golden Globe-winning comedy The Kominsky Method, which earned her and her co-stars a SAG Award nomination.
Borges played Edgar on FXX’sYou’re the Worstand will soon be seen in a significant recurring role on Paul Rudd’s upcoming Netflix seriesLiving With Yourself. Borges, who also appeared in Tamara Jenkins' acclaimed filmPrivate Life, is repped by Gersh and Suskin Management.
Mackenzie is a 13-year-old actress who has nearly a decade of experience in the industry as well asan incredible survival storyof her own. She had a key role inSteven Soderbergh’sLogan Lucky, and recently appeared in the Netflix movieYou Get MestarringBella Thorne. She recently wrapped the indie moviePlease Stand By, in which she plays a youngDakota Fanning, as well as a lead role in the thrillerAscensionstarringAna Mulvoy-Ten. She’s repped by Abrams Artists Agency and Cohen Entertainment.
Denham is a veteran character actor who appeared inBen Affleck’sArgo,Jodie Foster’sMoney Monsterand theBrit MarlingmovieSound of My Voice. He also has a recurring role on Showtime’sBillions, and has worked with major filmmakers includingMartin Scorsese,Mike NicholsandBarry Levinson. Denham, who will soon be seen chasingGugu Mbatha-RawinJulia Hart’sFast Color, is repped by UTA and Authentic Management.
