Charlie Hunnamhas just landed his first television role in five years, earning himself the lead role inApple TV+’s upcomingShantaram. The last time we saw Hunnam on TV, it was 2014 and he was playing the lead role of Jax Teller in FX’sSons of Anarchy. Hunnam has spent the last few years appearing in big-budget flicks both well-received, likeCrimson Peak, and oft-criticized, likeKing Arthur. Now, he’s going back to familiar territory.
PerDeadline, Hunnam will play Lin, a man who is evading the grips of Australian prison by forging a new identity in Bombay, India. Lin loses himself in the pace of the city, leaving behind his friends and family while ingratiating himself into the city’s underworld. The 10-episode series will be adapted from the novel of the same name written byGregory David Roberts.
Shantaramis Apple TV+’s first international production and it comes from Paramount TV and Anonymous Productions. WriterEric Warren Singer(American Hustle) has adapted Roberts' novel into a series. Singer and directorJustin Kurzel(Assassin’s Creed) will serve as executive producers on the series. Kurzel will also direct the first two episodes of theShantaram, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the season. This is Kurzel’s second time working with Hunnam (the actor appears in Kurzel’sTrue History of the Kelly Gang, out later this year) and his first time directing for television or a streaming service. Additional executive producers onShantaramincludeDave Erickson, Anonymous Content’sSteve Golin, Paramount TV presidentNicole Clemens,Andrea Barron, andRichard Sharkey.
If the title ofShantaramsounds familiar, it might be because it was originally set to become a feature film after Warner Bros. bought the rights to the book in 2004 for $2 million, per Deadline.Johnny Deppwas attached to the project for a spell, with the 2008 writer’s strike halting production plans and derailing Depp’s plans to star.Joel Edgertonwas brought in by 2013 to star but there was a continued failure to launch the feature film adaptation.
Shantaramwill be released on Apple TV+ following the streamer’s launch in November.
