James Remar is headed to MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles.
The adaption of Terry Brooks‘ fantasy book series follows the Shannara family, whose members can tap into ancient magic to help reshape the world’s future. Season one will adapt the second book,The Elfstones of Shannara, with production underway in New Zealand.
Remar is playing Cephelo, the leader of the Rovers, who roam the Four Lands.
Remar played Dexter Morgan’s (Michael C. Hall) father Harry for eight seasons of Showtime’s Dexter from 2006-2013. He also plays former CIA agent Syd on NBC’s State of Affairs, and is currently filming the feature February, a drama starring Emma Roberts. Other credits include FX’s Wilfred and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Remar joins a large cast, which includes John Rhys-Davies as King Eventine, Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labrynth) as Eretria, a human described as being from the wrong side of the tracks. Raised by a group of thieves called The Rovers, Eretria has had to use her good looks to survive. After rescuing Wil (Austin Butler, The Carrie Diaries) from danger, becomes a part of Amberle’s (Poppy Drayton) journey to save the Four Lands. Also in the mix are Arrow alum Manu Bennett as the druid Allanon; Brooke Williams (Spartacus: Blood & Sand) as the wise elf Catania; Australian soap star Daniel MacPherson as heir to the elvin throne Arion; and Marcus Vanco (Unbroken) as Bandon, who has mysterious visions and may be key to saving the Four Lands.
MTV picked up the adaptation of Brooks’ Shannara straight to series in June 2014, giving it a 10-episode order. The Shannara book series began with 1977’s The Sword of Shannara and has grown to include more than 25 books made up of multiple trilogies and a prequel. The books are estimated to be the highest-selling unadapted fantasy series in the world, and Brooks is considered the second-highest-selling fantasy author, trailing only Harry Potter‘s J.K. Rowling.
MTV hopes Shannara will do for it what Game of Thrones has done for HBO and Outlander has done for Starz. Smallville‘s Miles Millar and Al Gough will serve as showrunners and executive produce with Jon Favreau, Jonathan Liebesman, Brooks, Dan Farah and David Blocker. Liebesman, who directed this summer’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will helm the first two episodes of the series, which also comes from Gene Stein and Sonar Entertainment.
Remar is repped by Gersh.
Email: Aaron.Couch@THR.com
Twitter: @AaronCouch
