EXCLUSIVE: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Game of Thrones student Alexander Siddig was cast to star alongside Charlie Hunnam in Apple’s international drama series Shantaram, based on the bestselling novel by Gregory David Roberts. It comes from Paramount Television Studios and Anonymous Content.
Shot on two continents, Shantaram tells the story of Lin (Hunnam), a man fleeing an Australian prison looking to get lost in the bustling city of Bombay. Separated from family and friends by distance and fate, he finds new life in India’s slums, bars and underworld.
Siddig will play the regular role in the series of Khader Khan, the revered boss of the Bombay underworld who acts as a substitute father for Lin.
Shantaram is written and produced by Steven Lightfoot, who also acts as a showrunner. Richard Sharkey, Bharat Nalluri, who is expected to direct six episodes, Steve Golin, Nicole Clemens, Andrea Barron, Justin Kurzel and Eric Singer are also executive producers.
Apple TV 2020-21 series and pilot orders
The series, which filmed two episodes before pausing filming in late February 2020, is preparing to restart production in May for the remaining 10 episodes.
Recent Siddig TV credits also include Netflix The spy and Epix’s Deep State. In terms of resources, he was recently seen in 21 bridges and Skylines. Siddig is represented by Zero Gravity Management, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and Del Shaw.
THE Shantaram romance is described as an exploration of love, forgiveness and courage on the long road to redemption. It has been published in 39 languages in 42 territories worldwide and has sold over 6 million copies to date.