ScreamstarMelissa Barrerais among five to join an upcoming thriller series, whichShang-Chi’sSimu Liuleads. Being made for Peacock, with James Wan executive producing, the project will be the latest for Barrera following herhigh-profile firing from theScreamfranchise. She has also recently appeared in the vampire filmAbigailand will next be seen in the rom-com horrorYour Monster, which releases on October 25. But in her latest project, she’ll be returning to the small screen.
Deadlinereports that Barrera, well-known for her performance as Sam Carpenter in the last twoScreammovies,has joined the untitled thriller series and will appear alongside Liu. Sinclair Daniel (The Other Black Girl), Brian d’Arcy James (the Paramount+ seriesEvil), Mark O’Brien (Your Honor), and Kathleen Chalfant (House of Cards) have also been cast.
Barrera will play Michelle, described as a deceptive characterwho will keep everyone guessing. Daniel, meanwhile, plays an intelligence officer named Parker. She must figure out the new world she’s thrown into quickly. James, recently seen onEvilas Victor LeConte, plays the mentor figure, John Moira. O’Brien has the role of Cobb, described only as an ambitious intelligence agent. Lastly, Chalfant portrays St. George, who is “a quiet leader focused on the long game.”
What To Know About The New Thriller Series
It’s Set Five Minutes Into The Future
Described as a technological espionage thriller,the Peacock showisset five minutes into the future. That’s when first-generation American intelligence analyst, Alexander Hale, played by Liu, realizes his brain has been hacked. This gives the perpetrators access to everything that Hale sees and hears. The analyst finds himself split between the shadowy agency he works for on one hand and the unknown hackers on the other. His goal is to maintain a charade while he tries to figure out who is responsible.
Wan, known for directing films likeSawandThe Conjuring, executive produces via his Atomic Monster production banner alongside Michael Clear and Rob Hackett. Liu is also an executive producer, with fellow EP Jet Wilkinson directing the first two episodes.
Thomas Brandon, known for his work on theVampire DiariesspinoffLegacies, is the creator, writer, and executive producer. He’ll be the co-showrunner alongside Jennifer Yale, who worked on shows likeOutlanderand the Jason Momoa seriesSee.It marks Barrera’s return to TV, following her acclaimed turn on the dramaVidaand leading the Netflix limited seriesStill Breathing. It’s also one of Liu’s more high-profile projects, asthe wait forShang-Chi 2continues.
Our Take On The New Thriller Series
Will It Suited For TV?
The thriller has likable leads inBarreraandLiu, in addition to the involvement of a thriller veteran like Wan. But as is often the case with high-profile TV series, there’s a question of whether this is a movie premise that won’t be quite as engaging when stretched out to the length of a streaming series. But it has good talent involved, and the paranoid story coupled with the futuristic elements is intriguing.
