Oscar winner Colin Firth has been cast in a new Apple TV murder mystery series based on Philip Kerr’s bestselling Berlin Noir book saga, specifically the prequel novel Metropolis, which follows a young detective in 1920s Berlin. The project marks a reunion between Firth and Peter Straughan, who has penned the screenplay, following their highly successful collaboration on the 2011 spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. If their next adaptation proves as popular, then Apple may have found a perfect Slow Horses replacement.
As reported by Deadline, Firth will play Paul Lohser in the untitled drama. He is described as “a brilliant but prickly” detective, who is “meticulous, anti-social, and well-educated” – basically the complete opposite of newly promoted police officer Bernie Gunther, who is portrayed by Slow Horses star Jack Lowden. Together, the two are tasked with catching a serial killer on behalf of the Berlin Murder Squad amid rising political tensions during the height of the Weimar Republic (a democratic government established after WWI).
The show, which is currently being filmed in Berlin with Tom Shankland at the helm, will join a robust library of book-to-screen adaptations at Apple TV. The streamer has found success over the years in carefully selecting projects and drawing inspiration from old Hollywood in adapting established novels, having already played host to several popular titles such as the sci-fi epic Foundation, alternate-reality thriller Dark Matter, and the dystopian drama Silo. It could have another major hit on the way with its forthcoming Metropolis adaptation, and with 14 books in the acclaimed Berlin Noir series, who knows what the future holds for Gunther.
Has Apple TV Found Its Next ‘Slow Horses’?
Slow Horses, based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron, is widely considered one of Apple TV’s best, most critically acclaimed dramas, with each of the five seasons (to date) pulling in critics scores of 95% or above on Rotten Tomatoes. Anchored by Gary Oldman’s career-defining performance, the spy thriller has been consistently praised for its unwavering quality, which has, in turn, led to its longevity, with Apple TV handing out a renewal last year for two more seasons. It makes sense that the streamer would be searching for another Slow Horses-sized hit (especially since Season 7 could mark the end of the road), and so far, the Metropolis adaptation looks like it has all the makings of a potential replacement.
This is a developing story…
- Birthdate
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September 10, 1960
- Birthplace
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Grayshott, Hampshire, England, UK
- Birthname
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Colin Andrew Firth
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
