FX has given a straight-to-series order to the upcoming limited series adaptation of Under the Banner of Heaven, based on Jon Krakauer’s New York Times bestselling crime drama novel (via THR). Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) and Golden Globe nominee Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) have signed on for the leading roles in the miniseries, which hails from Oscar-winning filmmaker Dustin Lance Black (Milk). This marks Garfield’s first major TV project in 12 years since appearing in Channel 4’s three-part adaptation of Red Riding.
“After so many years of work, I’m incredibly grateful to Imagine and FX for their patience with and commitment to bringing this story to screen,” Black said in a statement. “Raised in the LDS faith, my hope is that this true-crime thriller might shed light on the horrific brutalities perpetrated in the name of God in our own backyards.”
“Dustin Lance Black is a gifted storyteller and the perfect artist to adapt Jon Krakauer’s gripping novel for FX,” FX’s President of Original Programming, Gina Balian said. “Lance joins an incredible creative team led by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard at Imagine Television who have been passionate about telling this story with him for years. We are thrilled that David Mackenzie has come aboard as a director and to have Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones star in Under the Banner of Heaven.”
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Under the Banner of Heaven follows a devout detective whose faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder that seems to be connected to an esteemed Utah family’s spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government. Garfield is set to portray the role of Pyre, an LDS elder who is committed to his Church and family but begins to question some of the Church’s teachings through his contact with a suspected murderer. While, Edgar-Jones will Brenda, a young faithful Mormon who is the victim of a brutal murder.
Pick up a copy of the novel here!
The limited series is created and executive produced by Dustin Lance Black. This project will also be the acclaimed scribe’s return to scripted television after four years since 2017’s docudrama miniseries When We Rise.
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Under the Banner of Heaven will be executive produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Samie Kim Falvey, and Anna Culp for Imagine Television; Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan of Aggregate Films; David Mackenzie, who will serve as director; and Gillian Berrie. Produced by FX Productions, the series will be available exclusively on FX on Hulu.
