The newest installation in the Blade Runner franchise, which acts as a sequel to both Ridley Scott’s (Alien, Gladiator) original 1982 beloved neo-noir film Blade Runner and Denis Villeneuve’s (Dune, Arrival) critically acclaimed 2017 film Blade Runner 2049 is currently in production and set to release on Prime. According to Comicbook.com, the series has added a slew of new cast members.
Earlier this year, Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha, Yes, Madam), who gained international recognition in the late 90s and early 00s for her starring roles in Ang Lee’s martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and made history as the first Asian-American woman to win Best Actress in 2023 for her leading role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, was announced to be leading the Prime original series as Olwen, a replicant nearing the end of her life. In June, Hunter Schafer (Kinds of Kindness, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) was announced to be joining Yeoh in the main cast in an undisclosed role.
Comicbook.com reports that the cast is expanding with several stars joining the cast. Schafer will be joined by fellow Hunger Games alum Dimitri Abold (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Love Addicts) in starring role. Other series regulars announced include Lewis Gribben (Somewhere Boy, The Chemistry of Death), Katelyn Rose Downey (The Nun II, The Princess) and Daniel Rigby (Sick Note, Teletubbies). Several recurring castmates were also revealed as noted by Comicbook.com including Johnny Harris (Great Expectations, Without Sin), Amy Lennox (Kinky Boots, Holby City), Sheila Atim (Harlots, The Underground Railroad) and Matthew Needham (House of the Dragon, Napoleon).
The series is executive produced by creator Scott and the first two episodes are set to be directed by Jonathan van Tulleken (Shōgun, The Changeling). While the sequel series wraps filming in Prague, fans of the science fiction franchise can rent both films on Prime.