Casting news for the upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed historical drama Belgravia, titled Belgravia: The Next Chapter and set in the posh London neighborhood that came to symbolize London’s elite in the 19th century, was announced today by premium network MGM+. Production on the eight-part series kicked off in the United Kingdom earlier this month, and the launch is scheduled for the winter of 2023.
Carnival Films and MGM+ Studios collaborated on Belgravia: The Next Chapter, which NBCUniversal Global Distribution will distribute. Universal International Studios, of which Carnival Pictures is a part, is a branch of Universal Studio Group as a whole.
Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age) adapted his novel Belgravia into a limited series in 2020, and this sequel picks up in 1871, three decades later. This series was created and written by Helen Edmundson (Dalgliesh, Mary Magdalene), who has received widespread appreciation for her work. It follows the blossoming romance between Frederick Trenchard (now the third Lord Trenchard) and Clara Dunn (a social newcomer to London). Frederick’s insecurity is a problem in his relationship with Clara because of his turbulent background and the fact that he doesn’t know that he was born as a result of an affair between his mother Susan and the scoundrel John Bellasis.
The series, led by Gareth Neame, reunites Carnival’s award-winning creative team from the first series. The show’s executive producers are Neame, Nigel Marchant, Julian Fellowes, and Joanna Strevens. Executive producer and showrunner Helen Edmundson is at the helm. Directors John Alexander, Paul Wilmshurst, and Marisol Adler have been recruited for the series. Season one’s producer, Colin Wratten (Killing Eve), will be back for season two.
New casting outlined below:
Harriet Slater – “Clara Trenchard (née Dunn)”
Clara Trenchard (née Dunn) is a young, astute and attractive woman who has recently made her presence known in the Belgravia social circle. She is delighted by her union with the enigmatic Frederick, yet as she discovers more about him and the trauma he has endured, Clara realises that her marriage will not be as effortless as she initially anticipated and she must fight for it.
Harriet Slater is best recognised for her role as Sandra Onslow in the HBO Max DC origin series Pennyworth. Recently, she completed filming for Sony Screen Gems’ Horrorscope and True Haunting, where she stars alongside Jamie Campbell Bower and Erin Moriarty. Her other screen credits include All Creatures Great and Small and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Slater is represented by The Artists Partnership in the UK and Untitled Entertainment in the U.S.
Ben Wainwright – “Frederick Trenchard”
The illustrious third Lord Trenchard, Frederick, is a young and handsome man who has inherited his grandfather’s hardworking nature. He quickly falls in love with Clara and the two marry after a rapid courtship. Unfortunately, Frederick brings with him past traumas that could jeopardise their newfound joy.
Ben Wainwright’s recent roles include Sky Atlantic’s Gangs of London and a lead part on BBC One’s The Split. He also had multiple episodes in the BBC One series World on Fire alongside Sean Bean and Lesley Manville. His feature credits include the romantic lead in The Conductor directed by Maria Peters, as well as A Quiet Passion with Cynthia Nixon. Other TV credits include ITV’s Endeavour and Unforgotten, Channel 4’s Pure, War and Peace and The Boy with the Topknot for BBC One.
Wainwright is represented by Insight Management & Production.
Edward Bluemel – “Dr. Stephen Ellerby”
An idealistic, charming, and attractive young doctor, Stephen is brought into the society of Belgravia as he cares for Peter, son of the Duke of Rochester – a far cry from his life amongst the bohemians of Bloomsbury. He is quickly captivated by Clara after meeting her and starts to gain her trust as their lives interweave.
Bio: EDWARD BLUEMEL trained at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. He’s currently filming a leading role in a new Amazon Original called My Lady Jane, based on the historical fiction novels it stars Emily Bader as “Lady Jane Grey.” Edward is in the role of “Lord Guildford Dudlley,” joined by an impressive cast including Jordan Peters, Dominic Cooper, Jim Broadbent, Anna Chancellor, Rob Brydon, and Will Keen. In 2022 he filmed the mini-series Washington Black in Nova Scotia, starring Sterling K Brown “Ernest Kingsley Junior,” Tom Ellis, Charles Dance, and Rupert Graves, coming to Hulu in 2023. Bluemel was most recently seen in Ten Percent (Prime Video), the British adaption of the acclaimed French series Call My Agent, starring alongside Jack Davenport and Lydia Leonard. He also appeared alongside Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, and Henry Golding in the Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Other career highlights include the second and fourth season of the multi award-winning Killing Eve (BBC/AMC), A Discovery of Witches (Sky1/BBC America) playing the role of “Marcus Whitmore,” the Netflix original series Sex Education, Channel 4’s Traitors, a thriller set in the aftermath of the Second World War, and ITV’s period drama The Halcyon. His theatre credits include a lead role in Trevor Nunn’s critically acclaimed Love in Idleness (West End) and Touch (Soho Theatre), written and directed by Vicky Jones (director of the original stage production of Fleabag and one of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s frequent collaborators).
Bluemel is represented by Epilogue and Hamilton Hodell in the UK, Sugar23 and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern in the U.S.
Toby Regbo – “Rev. James Trenchard”
Frederick’s estranged brother, a gentle, kind and religious man, James is haunted by both the separation from his brother and a private battle he is determined to keep hidden.
Bio: Toby is best known for his leading roles in the CW Series Reign and The Last Kingdom. He starred in the latest series of Medici on Netflix and has had roles in films such as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and One Day. Toby can most recently be seen in Series Three of A Discovery of Witches and Channel 4’s Chivalry. He has just finished shooting for a leading role In ITVX’s Platform 7, an upcoming psychological thriller, based on Louise Doughty’s phenomenal best-selling novel.
Regbo is represented by Independent Talent Group and Authentic Talent and Literary Management.
Hannah Onslow – “Emily Dunn”
Clara’s older sister, Emily responds to her sister’s swift marriage with a hint of jealousy as she is desperate to make her own match. But when she throws herself into charity work at her new church, she is instantly attracted to the Reverend James Trenchard.
Bio: Hannah’s growing resume positions her as one of a few, super exciting, up and coming actors working today. Graduating from RADA in 2019, Hannah circumnavigated covid to work opposite Rory Kinnear in Ridley Road for Red Productions; alongside Ben Wishaw in SISTER/BBC’s in This Is Going To Hurt and with Olivia Colman and Colin Firth in director Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light. Hannah’s other screen credits include the much-loved series Call the Midwife and the fifth instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise, directed by James Mangold, starring Harrison Ford. Hannah recently finished shooting Sally El Hosaini’s feature film Unicorn and The Doll Factory for Paramount+.
Onslow is represented by Gordon and French.
Sophie Thompson – “Mrs. Dunn”
Emily and Clara’s devoted mother, Mrs Dunn is a nervous, giddy, and chatty widow who has moved to Belgravia with her daughters and is thrilled by Clara’s new marriage and the security in social standing it brings.
Bio: A six-time Olivier Award nominee and winner of the 1999 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Sophie Thompson has a career that spans film, television and theatre. In the theatre she most recently starred in Present Laughter at The Old Vic. On TV – Everything I Know About Love, Sandylands and a recurring role in BBC’s The Detectorists.
Thompson is represented by Independent Talent Group.
You may also be interested in...