Filming on the BBC One Sunday night hit drama, The Musketeers, has got underway in Prague this week for a second series, with Marc Warren (Hustle, Mad Dogs) joining the cast to play the Comte De Rochefort, a dashing and persuasive aristocrat with a talent for sword fighting and a taste for adventure.
The first series premiered in January this year and proved a successful addition to the channel’s line-up, with a series average of 6.3 million across the 10 episodes, and the opening episode being the BBC’s third highest drama launch in the past decade. The Musketeers is also thrilling audiences across the globe, so far sold to 20 broadcasters who will transmit in 78 countries.
Returning for series two is Luke Pasqualino (Skins, The Borgias) as D’Artagnan, Tom Burke (Great Expectations, The Hour) as Athos, Santiago Cabrera (Merlin, Heroes) as Aramis and Howard Charles (Royal Shakespeare Company) as Porthos. Created by Adrian Hodges, this is his fresh and contemporary take on the classic characters in the much-loved novel by Alexandre Dumas.
Marc Warren’s character, Rochefort, is a man nursing many secrets and a very dark past. As the series progresses the true nature of his plotting is revealed and everyone around him is drawn into his sinister web. Ultimately, only the Musketeers and their loyal allies and friends stand between him and a desperate act that will change all their lives forever.
Marc Warren says: “I’m delighted to be part of the BBC’s stylish and exciting take on the Dumas classic. Once I've overcome my fear of horses I'm sure it'll be a walk in the park."
BBC executive producer Jessica Pope says: “Adrian and I were thrilled to welcome Marc to the cast. He's a clever and mercurial actor who will bring danger and charm to the role of Rochefort in equal measure.”
Set on the streets of 17th-century Paris where law and order is more an idea than reality, the series follows The Musketeers who are far more than King Louis XIII’s personal bodyguards, but ultimately stand resolutely for social justice: for honour, for valour, for love and for the thrill of it.
Tamla Kari (Cuckoo, The Inbetweeners Movie), Maimie McCoy (Loving Miss Hatto), Hugo Speer (Bedlam), Ryan Gage (The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug) and Alexandra Dowling (Agatha Christie: Poirot) also return for another thrilling 10-part series (10x60), made by BBC Drama Production and co-produced by BBC WorldWide and BBC America.
Jessica Pope is the BBC executive producer, Adrian Hodges is an executive producer and lead writer, and Colin Wratten is producer.
The Musketeers was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, and Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning.
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I adore Marc Warren!!!
ReplyDeleteCool!! I've really liked Marc Warren in anything that i've seen him, especially in Mad Dogs.
ReplyDeleteLove Marc Warren both in Mad Dogs, Band of Brothers and The Good Wife. So must pick up this series, before season 2 starts. Had that in my plans already.
ReplyDeleteI've still to watch the finale of Mad Dogs, I loved the series but have heard such bad things about the last two episodes :(
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Rochefort has been cast. :)
ReplyDeleteActually i haven't watched the finale either for the same reason :)
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting photo of him I thought, mad speculation has already started spinning round my head, lol.
ReplyDeleteAt least I'm not alone then! Such a great series & set of actors, I'll catch it one day, just to make my own mind up. At least we're forewarned I guess lol.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! Such a great casting choice. What a surprise. Can't wait to see him in action. I have to say...not sure if I agree with the description "dashing aristocrat." This picture seems to portray "dastardly rogue" a bit more, in my opinion. Haha.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought, we can only wait ( 9 months ) and see....
ReplyDeleteAs long as he's a rogue and causes trouble for our Musketeers, I don't mind whether he's dashing or not.
It's the dashing ones that are more fun! ;)
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/RyanGage/status/453923390660018176
ReplyDeleteThis kills me...Hahahahaha.
Love it. Lol. Ryan Gage is just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteExcellent casting decision. I can't wait to see this. Marc Warren does edgy so well. There's always this air of menace with him and an explosion just waiting to happen. He's also the right level of voltage to fill the significant gap left by Capaldi and has his own fan base who will hopefully join us next year and come along for the ride. I spotted earlier that Charlotte Salt will be in Prague from tomorrow to begin filming, so it seems her character will be with us from the beginning of series 2.
ReplyDeleteHaha, love Gage's sense of humour. I've asked him for a Louis/Rochefort selfie *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteYep, I think it's great casting as well. It will be good to have an overarching villain again to hold the bigger story across the series.
ReplyDeleteExactly! This is what has me wondering why he's described like that; maybe he's after sympathy or pretending to be down on his luck to get in with the Musketeers or something? :o Hare-brain theory time has started early XD
ReplyDeleteI've spoken to quite a few people about it today while I've been out, from 13 to 80 year olds, and all are thrilled with this casting news, thinking he will do nicely :)
ReplyDeleteVery good casting ;)
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