Actor Bruce Greenwood is about to enter the House of Usher.
The new Netflix horror series “The Fall of the House of Usher” is the latest project created by Mike Flanagan, who is the mastermind behind Netflix horror classics such as “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and the recent “Midnight Mass,” all of which have reached critical acclaim.
However, his most recent subject has been troubled by investigations into misconduct on set.
Bruce Greenwood Replaces Frank Langella After Misconduct Allegations
Producers have been investigating claims of misconduct on set and decided to fire Langella, 84, after their investigation, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Langella was reportedly accused of sexual harassment after making “inappropriate remarks” to a female costar. The investigation was complicated with the series midway through production.
Although the series is halfway through production, all of Langella’s material has been scrapped and they will need to refilm all of his scenes with a new actor. Thus, enters Bruce Greenwood, who will take up the role of patriarch Roderick Usher.
Greenwood, 65, is a Canadian actor and producer who is best known for his role as former U.S. President John F. Kennedy in “Thirteen Days.” He won the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for the Role. He is also known as Captain Christopher Pike in J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek” reboot series.
Flanagan and Greenwood have worked together several times in the past, most recently on the 2019 Shining sequel “Doctor Sleep,” which also starred “Star Wars” actor Ewan McGregor.
Mike Flanagan Welcomes Bruce Greenwood To The ‘House Of Usher’ Set
I’m elated to welcome my dear friend, the brilliant BRUCE GREENWOOD to THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER as the iconic Roderick Usher. This will be our 4th collaboration (because yes, I absolutely count the background ghost cameo in HILL HOUSE). https://t.co/ya6QOQcX72
— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) April 29, 2022
“I’m elated to welcome my dear friend, the brilliant Bruce Greenwood to The Fall of the House of Usher as the iconic Roderick Usher,” Flanagan tweeted on Friday. “This will be our 4th collaboration (because yes, I absolutely count the background ghost cameo in Hill House).”
Met Bruce once at the bar in Genghis Cohen years ago. Good dude. Fantastic lead when given the chance as well, going all the way back to EXOTICA. More people should’ve seen a little indie he did a number of years back called WILDLIKE.
Great choice.
— Craig Barron (@imamacguffin) April 29, 2022
Many fans were looking forward to his casting. One fan wrote, “Met Bruce once at the bar in Genghis Cohen years ago. Good dude. Fantastic lead when given the chance as well, going all the way back to EXOTICA. More people should’ve seen a little indie he did a number of years back called WILDLIKE. Great choice.”
Excellent choice!! I’ve been a fan of his since way back!!
— Dianne Olcott (@olcott_dianne) April 29, 2022
“Excellent choice!!” said another. “I’ve been a fan of his since way back!!”
Not too much is known about the plot of Flanagan’s upcoming series, except that it will be a compilation of Edgar Allan Poe’s best works. Netflix has described the story as “an epic tale of greed, horror, and tragedy.”
I love a job where doing your homework might give you nightmares.
😲 pic.twitter.com/ZbiLM8L6Oh— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 1, 2022
“Star Wars” alum Mark Hamill has already been cast in the series. Although his character has not been named, he is rumored to be “surprisingly at home in the shadows.” Hamill will be joined by actress Carla Gugino, who has appeared in many of Flanagan’s other Netflix projects. “Major Crimes” star Mary McDonnell has been cast as Roderick’s twin sister, Madeline Usher, and “Alias” actor Carl Lumbly has been cast as detective C. Auguste Dupin. Willa Fitzgerald joined the cast on January 28.
The series will last eight episodes, each of which has been written by Flanagan himself. He and long-time collaborator Michael Fimognari will each be directing four episodes. No release date for the series has yet to be announced, but the Netflix series will most likely encounter delays due to all of Roderick Usher’s scenes being refilmed.
