Sarandon & Colman Dive Into Dark Secrets of Army Of Shadows

The newest addition to the buzz‑worthy thriller series *Army Of Shadows* is Oscar winners Susan Sarandon and Olivia Colman. Their names were announced as part of a star‑packed cast that already includes Paddy Considine, America Ferrera, Alex Hassell, and Kit Harington.

Production crews have set up shop in both Paris and London to bring the story to life.

The ensemble also features Leila Farzad, Luther Ford, Amara Okereke, Patrick O’Kane, Anjli Mohindra, Ed Ashley and Zoë Telford. Studiocanal is handling worldwide sales while Channel 4 has green‑lit the project.

Lisa Gunning will direct all six episodes, and BAFTA‑winning writer Ronan Bennett – known for *MobLand* and *The Day of the Jackal* – is at the helm.

The narrative imagines a near‑future authoritarian Britain where ordinary citizens feel an undercurrent of oppression. A former soldier called Berry starts building a clandestine resistance network, gathering an unlikely group: a soldier, a student, a radiographer, and a journalist.

The series examines the cost of standing against an all‑encompassing state and asks what people would do if their country fell under occupation.

## What Happened

The casting announcement came as filming commenced in Paris and London. Sarandon and Colman were listed alongside Considine, Ferrera, Hassell, and Harington, solidifying a global cast that spans generations and nationalities.

The series is produced by Studiocanal and Two Cities Television, with executive producers Paul Gilbert, M‑K Kennedy, Ron Halpern, Joe Naftalin, Stephen Wright and Michael Jackson.

Production is led by Alison Sterling as series producer. StudioCanal’s new in‑house production arm is delivering the show for the first time, while Canal+ will distribute it across Europe, Africa and Asia.

The project is financed with support from the Melville family and the Kessel estate, whose works inspired the original 1969 film and book about the French Resistance.

## Background & Context

Ronan Bennett, a BAFTA‑winner, adapted *Army Of Shadows* from Jean‑Pierre Melville’s 1969 film and Joseph Kessel’s book of the same name. The story draws a parallel between WWII French resistance and a modern occupied Britain, emphasizing how ordinary people might rise against a totalitarian regime.

Channel 4’s commissioning team, led by Gwawr Lloyd and Drama Commissioning Editors Gemma Boswell and Rebecca Holdsworth, gave the project green light in the UK.

Studiocanal has partnered with Two Cities Television, part of STV Studios, to bring the series to life. The production also involves a notable international cast that includes actors from the UK and the US. Royalties from Kessel’s works will be donated to the Irish Red Cross, adding a philanthropic dimension to the project.

## Analysis

Adding Sarandon and Colman boosts the series’ star power and signals a return to high‑profile projects for both actresses. Sarandon has recently spoken about feeling sidelined in Hollywood because of her political views; this role could represent a significant comeback.

Colman’s three Oscar nominations over the past decade underscore her stature on screen.

The worldwide sales handled by Studiocanal position the series for a broad international audience. Canal+ will release it in multiple territories, while Channel 4 provides a strong domestic platform. The distribution strategy aims to maximize viewership across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The series marks Studiocanal’s first output from its newly launched in‑house production arm, suggesting a shift toward original content. With a veteran writer, a seasoned director, and a multinational cast, *Army Of Shadows* is poised to become a noteworthy entry in the growing landscape of politically charged television drama.

In sum, the casting of two Oscar winners alongside an international ensemble sets *Army Of Shadows* up as a compelling exploration of resistance in a dystopian Britain. With strong production backing and expansive distribution plans, the series is primed to capture audiences worldwide.