“Outlander” actress Laura Donnelly has been cast as the lead on Joss Whedon’s upcoming HBO sci-fi series “The Nevers.”
Described as “an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world,” the series will be written, directed, executive produced and showrun by the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator himself.
Donnelly will play Amalia True, “the most reckless, impulsive, emotionally damaged hero of her time. A menace to stuffy Victorian society, she would die for the cause and kill for a drink.”
“Laura Donnelly has charisma, wisdom and an anarchic precision that not only captures Amalia but defines her,” Whedon said in a statement. “She’s fierce and she’s funny — and I need both for the journey ahead.”
“Buffy” vets Jane Espenson and Doug Petrie are executive producing and writing “The Nevers” alongside Whedon, with Bernie Caulfield also executive producing. As TheWrap previously reported, filming on the show begins this summer in London.
Best known for her role as Jenny Fraser on Starz’s “Outlander,” Donnelly will next be seen in Fox Searchlight’s “Tolkien” alongside Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins.
Her TV credits include Channel 4’s “Sugar Rush,” BBC’s “Merlin” and “The Fall,” and ABC’s “Missing.” On the film side, Donnelly has appeared in “The Program,” with Chris O’Dowd and Jesse Plemons, “Hello Carter,” alongside Jodie Whittaker, thrillers “Dread” and “Insatiable,” and the dramedy “Right Hand Drive.”
Also well-known for her theater work, Donnelly won the Best Actress Award at the 2018 Olivier Awards for her portrayal of Caitlin in the West End production of Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman.”
She is repped by Jonathan Arun in the UK and CAA in the US and attorney Shelby Weiser.
Deadline first reported the news of Donnelly’s casting.