'FlashForward,' 'Twilight,' 'Casino Royale' vets join Starz' 'Camelot'

Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green among the familiar faces for the 2011 series

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Jun 3, 2010 4:55 PM

Jamie Campbell Bower

Credit: AP

Starz has lined up a star-studded cast for "Camelot," the latest series take on the Arthurian legend.

The premium cable network announced on Thursday (June 3) that Joseph Fiennes ("FlashForward"), Eva Green ("Casino Royale"), Jamie Campbell Bower ("The Twilight Saga: New Moon") and Tasmin Egerton ("St. Trinian's") will topline the 10-episode series, which will begin production later this month and will premiere in early 2011.

Bower, whose addition credits include AMC's "The Prisoner," will play Arthur, while Egerton will play Guinevere. Fiennes, better known for "Shakespeare in Love" than his one-season ABC drama (but we're not prepared to let him off the hook just yet), will play the wizard Merlin, with "The Dreamers" star Green as the sorceress Morgana.

"With Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green, Jamie Campbell Bower and Tamsin Egerton in the cast, we’ve got actors who can bring real passion and intensity to their roles," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht says in a statement which lacks real passion and intensity.

A co-production between the Irish production company Octagon and Take 5 Productions in Canada and developed in association with the UK’s Ecosse Films, "Camelot" comes from producer Graham King's GK-TV and will be broadcast on Starz in the United States and on CBS in Canada.

Starz Media Managing Director Carmi Zlotnik adds, "All of the best TV shows were marked by great actors in the ideal parts, and that is certainly the case with the talented cast on 'Camelot.'"

Meanwhile, "Merlin" is currently airing its second season on Syfy.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Crow3711

Is his Merlin going to be angry as fuck? All the time? For no reason? I hope so. It was hilarious on FF
June 3, 2010 at 5:45PM EST Reply to Comment
- dan Crow3711 -- Yes. He's also going to growl every line of dialogue, like Batman, only much, much lamer. -Daniel
  June 3, 2010 at 6:44PM EST
Sareeta

From what I've seen of Fiennes, I think he is best suited for over-the-top roles (i.e., William Shakespear, the tranny from Pretty/Handsome) that show a range of emotions. I think the problem with his role in Flashforward was not his acting so much as the way his character was written. I know nothing of the other actors, which might be a good thing. It's nice to go into a new TV series with no expectations and get blown away.

I hated Crash, and I read bad reviews of Gravity, but it seems Starz is finding its footing with shows like Spartacus (which started out iffy, but improved over the course of the first season) and Party Down (which I have not seen yet). I'm actually excited about their take on Camelot.

With Game of Thrones coming to HBO in the spring and Camelot on Starz, 2011 might be a really interesting year for fans of fantasy.
June 3, 2010 at 6:20PM EST Reply to Comment