Ian McShane Joins Cast of Paramount+ Drama Last King of the Cross

The major antagonist, Ezra Shipman, will be played by acclaimed British actor Ian McShane (Deadwood, John Wick: Chapter 4) in the highly anticipated Australian original drama series Last King of The Cross, which will stream exclusively on Paramount+.

Daniel Monaghan, Senior Vice President, Content and Programming, Paramount Australia and New Zealand, said:

“We are incredibly thrilled to have an actor of Ian McShane’s calibre and body of work, join our very own rising star Lincoln Younes, to tell this unique and captivating Australian story set amongst one of our country’s most iconic and notorious backdrops.”

Producer and HELIUM Founder, Mark Fennessy, said:

“From Winston to Blackbeard, Al Swearengen to Mr Wednesday, Ian McShane’s on-screen characterisations are the epitome of compelling masterpieces, and we cannot wait for the world to meet Ezra Shipman.”

McShane, who is known for his exceptional portrayals of anti-heroes and charming heavies, will bring the fictional figure of Ezra Shipman – the reigning King of The Cross – to life.

Ezra is a wise and well-known businessman with a knack for all things financial, whether it’s the stock market or running the illicit gambling, prostitution, and strip bars that have made Kings Cross famous since the Vietnam War.

Ezra has been the most powerful and feared man in Sydney for three generations, but now he is facing his own mortality. There is no one to carry on his legacy, despite his power and wealth, and despite everything he has had to do to keep it.

John Ibrahim (Lincoln Younes) is a youthful, aggressive, ambitious, and bright adolescent clone of Ezra. As an acolyte, Ezra draws the young John into his inner circle, seeing an opportunity to extend his reign. But who is the one who is being exploited?

Last King of the Cross is a 10-part serialised drama based on John Ibrahim’s best-selling autobiography of the same name, with filming slated to begin in Sydney in May. It’s a drama about two brothers, Sam and John Ibrahim, who organise the street but lose touch as they rise to prominence.

Last King of The Cross is a HELIUM Pictures production for Paramount+ Australia with Cineflix Rights as the exclusive international distribution partner. Produced by Fennessy and Karl Zwicky, the elevated serialised dramais by multi award-winning writer/director Kieran Darcy-Smith who will also direct.

McShane is represented by ICM Partners, Independent Talent Group, Gallant Management, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

Last King of The Cross, streaming exclusively soon on Paramount+.