Legendary actor Cary Grant will be the subject of a new four-part biopic series titled Archie, and Jason Isaacs has been cast in the lead role.
The series will tell the story of the UK-born actor’s humble beginnings as Archibald Alec Leach, who grew up in absolute poverty, trying to make ends meet until he moved to the United States and became one of Hollywood’s definitive leading men, starring in classic films such as Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, North By Northwest, Charade, and many more.
The show will also highlight Grant’s unhappy private life, his two failed marriages, and his retirement from the big screen years later.
Jeff Pope, who has previously worked on other projects about distinctive British figures like Stan & Ollie and Philomena, will write and produce the series. Isaacs, who is probably best known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, said in a statement:
“There was only one Cary Grant, and I’d never be foolish enough to try to step into his iconic shoes. Jeff’s brilliant scripts bring to life his relentless struggle to escape the demons that plagued him, his obsessive need for control, his fears, his weaknesses, his loves, and his losses. It’s the story of a man, not a legend, and those are shoes I can’t wait to walk in.”
Grant’s daughter Jennifer Grant and former wife Dyan Cannon have thankfully given the series their blessing, describing the script as “intelligent, understanding” and “capturing him so brilliantly.” They will also serve as executive producers.
The biopic is being produced by ITV Studios in collaboration with co-production partner BritBox International.
Isaacs was recently seen in excellent drama Mass, war thriller Operation Mincemeat, and recently released historical comedy Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris. He’s currently working on Spinning Gold, a biopic of record producer Neil Bogart, and ensemble drama Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men.
#Peace.Love.Archie
