Callum Turner has been cast as the lead role in the series adaptation of William Gibson’s novel “Neuromancer” at Apple TV+, Variety has learned. The series was originally announced in February.
Per the official description, the 10-episode drama follows “a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high stakes crime with his partner Molly, a razor-girl assassin with mirrored eyes, aiming to pull a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.”
This will mark the second starring role in an Apple series for Turner. Previously, he starred in the World War II series “Masters of the Air” alongside a cast that included Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan. The show debuted on the streaming arm of the tech giant earlier this year. He has also starred in shows like “Glue” and the 2016 BBC series version of “War & Peace.”
In film, Turner is known for his work in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise as well as features such as “Queen and Country,” “Green Room,” and “The Boys in the Boat.” He is repped by WME, Curtis Brown Group, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.
“Neurmancer” hails from co-creators Graham Roland and JD Dillard. Roland will also serve as showrunner, while Dillard will direct the pilot. Both are executive producers along with: Gibson; David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Matt Thunell for Skydance Television; Anonymous Content; Drake, Adel “Future” Nur and Jason Shrier for DreamCrew Entertainment; and Zack Hayden. Skydance Television will co-produce with Anonymous Content.
“Neuromancer” was Gibson’s debut novel that helped birth the cyberpunk genre. It was first published in 1984 and went on to receive a Hugo Award, a Nebula Award, and the Philip K. Dick Award. The book led Gibson to publish two follow-ups, “Count Zero” and “Mona Lisa Overdrive.”
There have been various attempts over the years to adapt the book into a film though none have ultimately moved forward.