Benedict Cumberbatchwill be starring in a stranger-than-fiction limited series involving the KGB, poisoned tea, and worldwide espionage. According toVariety, the acclaimed English actor has been cast asAlexander Litvinenkoin the upcoming HBO projectLondongrad. Not only that, but his company Sunnymarch will also help produce the limited series.
Londongradmight share the name of a 2015 Russian comedy series, but it is far from an adaptation. The limited series will be based onAlan Cowell’s 2008 bookThe Terminal Spy, which recounts the story of Litvinenko. The former KGB spy and eventual defector was mysteriously poisoned in London in 2006. Twenty-two days after his hospitalization, he had succumbed to the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Much like the book,Londongradwill depict the agent’s life story as well as the investigation into how his assassination was eventually pulled off.
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Bryan Fogel, who previously won an Oscar for his documentaryIcarusin 2018, will direct the limited series. While known more for his documentary work, this series will not be his first narrative project, having previously written and directed the 2012 adaptation of his playJewtopia.All The Money in The WorldscribeDavid Scarpawill take on writing duties forLondongrad. Cumberbatch’s colleagues at Sunnymarch,Adam AcklandandClaire Marshallwill also executive produce the project with Fogel, Scarpa, andLen Amato.
This will be far from the first time Cumberbatch has worked on an HBO-produced project. He had gained an Emmy nomination for the 2013 miniseriesParade’s End, which also gained nominations for writing and cinematography. His 2019 television filmBrexit, in which he portrayed formerBoris JohnsonaideDominic Cummings, was also nominated for an Emmy. Perhaps the third time will be the charm and this new role will finally secure him a win.Londongradcurrently does not have a release date.
