According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple TV+ has just fired Better Call Saul actor Michael Mando from its upcoming Philadelphia-based drama series, Sinking Spring. The eight-episode crime show is created, directed, and executive produced by the iconic Ridley Scott (the Alien franchise, the Blade Runner franchise) and includes the acting talents of Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Bullet Train), Marin Ireland (Hell or High Water, The Umbrella Academy), and Ving Rhames (the Mission Impossible franchise, Pulp Fiction).
More information on the casting decisions for Sinking Spring can be found here and here.
As written by The Hollywood Reporter, inside sources claim that Mando was let go from the series following a clash on-set with one of his fellow co-stars and despite producer’s best efforts to settle the conflict, it was ultimately decided that Mando would be let go from the show and his part recast. Mando’s role has purportedly been recast and handed to Wagner Moura (Narcos, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish); Moura will regroup with Apple as the streaming service quickly scrambles to re-shoot and restructure the production of Sinking Spring.
The show was picked up to series back in August of 2022 and is based on Dennis Tafoya’s (The Wolves of Fairmount Park, The Poor Boy’s Game) 2009 novel, Dope Thief, and tells the story of two delinquent friends from Philadelphia who pose as DEA agents in order to rob a home in the countryside, only to learn that they have unwittingly discovered the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.
Mando was originally set to portray Manny Cespedes, the good-natured half of the delinquent duo opposite the main character of Ray, who is played by Henry. With Mando out of the picture, the role of Manny now goes to Moura.
When asked about further details from The Hollywood Reporter, Apple TV+ representatives declined to comment on the situation.