With principal photography just a few weeks away, intrepid horror director and writerMike Flanaganhas revealed the first wave of casting news forThe Fall of the House of Usher. The Netflix miniseries will be an eight-episode event derived from various works by Edgar Allan Poe. Flanagan says that for this project Intrepid Pictures has “assembled the largest ensemble cast in the history” of the production company. Flanagantook to Twitterto announce the first five names featured in the new series as well as to share some information about who each of these heavy hitters will be playing.
First up is legendary actorFrank Langellawho will be playing Roderick Usher, listed as “the towering patriarch of the Usher Dynasty.” Langella’s filmography is vast and includesFrost/Nixon,The Americans, andThe Trial of the Chicago 7. Next up is a familiar face for Flanagan fans:Carla Gugino, who played matriarch Olivia Crain inThe Haunting of Hill House, will be “front and center” inThe Fall of the House of Usheraccording to Flanagan. This marks their fourth project together, afterbothHauntingseriesand the filmGerald’s Game. Flanagan did not reveal who exactly Gugino will be playing in the new show, but lists her as a “dear friend and invaluable collaborator.”
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The first casting announcement also features the iconicMary McDonnellas Madeline Usher. Madeline is noted as Roderick’s sister and “the hidden hand of the Usher Dynasty.” McDonnell is well known for her work on the sci-fi seriesBattlestar Galactica, as well as several films includingDonnie DarkoandDances with Wolves.The Fall of the House of Usherwill also featureCarl Lumblyas investigator C. Auguste Dupin. Lumbly has worked with Flanagan in the past onDoctor Sleep, a 2019 horror film based on theStephen Kingnovel of the same title. Lumbly has also worked with McDonnell onBattlestar Galactica.
The final casting announcement for today is none other than the incredibleMark Hamill. Hamill is most known for playing Luke Skywalker in the originalStar Warstrilogy and its sequels, as well as voicing several animated characters including The Joker across variousBatmanprojects. Flanagan did not reveal who Hamill will be playing in the series, mysteriously stating that his character is “surprisingly at home in the shadows” — perhaps a reference to his cameo in the FX seriesWhat We Do in the Shadows.
The Fall of the House of Usherwill be Flanagan’s fifth Netflix series followingThe Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor,Midnight Mass, and the upcomingThe Midnight Club. The series is set to begin filming in Vancouver, Canada in just a few weeks, and Flanagan plans to share more of the lengthy cast list tomorrow. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates!
