Sam Heughan is stepping out of the 18th century and into a contemporary, high-stakes political thriller. The actor has been cast in Embassy, a six-episode series that marks his first television role since completing his long-running stint on Outlander.
The upcoming thriller will see Heughan starring alongside Anna Kendrick and JK Simmons. Produced by AGC Television in collaboration with Ascendant Fox and Turbine Studios, Embassy is gearing up to begin filming in February. While AGC will handle financing and global distribution, the series is yet to secure a US broadcaster.
Kendrick leads the show as Layla, an American diplomat caught in a crisis after mercenaries overrun the US embassy in London. With time running out, she faces an impossible decision: protect the ambassador, played by Simmons, or obey orders to extract a crucial asset before it’s too late. According to the official logline, Layla “must rely on her instincts” and on the uneasy assistance of her former fiancé, a British SAS operative portrayed by Heughan, during the tense hours leading up to evacuation.
The series was created by Rom Lotan and features a split directorial lineup. John Strickland, known for Line of Duty and Bodyguard, will direct four episodes, while Christian Alvart has been tapped to helm the remaining two. Alvart’s involvement was confirmed as part of the initial production rollout.
Embassy boasts a sizeable executive producing team, with Lotan and Strickland joined by Hester Ruoff, Bart Ruspoli and Matt Mitchell for Ascendant Fox; Daniel Hetzer, Jakob Neuhausser, Justin Thomson and David Tanner for Turbine Studios; and Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz and Miguel A. Palos Jr representing AGC.
Heughan’s casting comes as Outlander prepares to bow out, with its final season set to premiere on Starz on March 6. In recent years, the actor has balanced the time-travel drama with other projects, including Starz’s The Couple Next Door and the first season of Channel 4’s Suspect in the U.K. His film résumé includes Love Again, Bloodshot and The Spy Who Dumped Me.
