From Lisa Zwerling (“ER”; “FlashForward”) and Karyn Usher (“Prison Break”; “Bones”), comes the eight-episode STARZ Original Series, The Rook, a supernatural spy thriller that lands in Asia for the first time. The series stars Emma Greenwell (“Shameless”; “The Path”), Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”; “Red Sparrow”), and Olivia Munn (HBO’s “The Newsroom”; “The Predator”). Stream or download the first three episodes exclusively on HBO GO. A new episode premieres on the streaming platform every Monday from 25 January to 22 February. The series is produced and distributed internationally by Lionsgate.
The Rook is the origin story of an empowered young woman who chooses to become the invaluable asset her agency always wanted her to be – entirely on her own terms. The series tells the story of Myfanwy Thomas (played by Greenwell), a woman who wakes up in the rain beside London’s Millennium Bridge with no memory of who she is and no explanation for the circle of dead bodies splayed out around her. As Myfanwy searches for her past, she is tasked with protecting those with supernatural powers – or Extreme Variant Abilities (EVAs) – from the dangerous world of high-dollar trafficking, and along the way, she uncovers the truth about herself and her past.
Richardson plays Linda Farrier, Myfanwy’s mentor and ally who must defend her tenuous hold on the agency’s secrecy, while Olivia Munn plays Monica from the U.S. Bureau of Variant Affairs, who arrives in London following the mysterious incident at Millennium Bridge to investigate the death of her former lover.
Other cast members include Adrian Lester (“The Day After Tomorrow”; “Downton Abbey”), Jon Fletcher (“The Messengers”; The series is executive produced by Lisa Zwerling, Karyn Usher, and Stephen Garrett (HBO’s “The Undoing”; “The Night Manager”); directed by Kari Skogland (Episodes 101 and 102; HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”; “Vikings”), China Moo-Young (Episodes 103, 105 and 108; “Spotless”; “Humans”), Sunu Gonera (Episodes 104 and 106; “Madam Secretary”; “Snowfall”), and Rebecca Johnson (Episode 107; “Honeytrap”).
MYFANWY THOMAS (Played by Emma Greenwell)
Myfanwy is the Rook – an important member of Britain’s last truly secret service, the Checquy. At the start of the show, Myfanwy wakes at the base of the Millennium Bridge, surrounded by dead bodies – and void of her memory. The first season of “The Rook” answers the questions swirling around Myfanwy’s past, her mysterious power, and the events leading up to the night her memory was erased.
LINDA FARRIER (Played by Joely Richardson)
Linda Farrier is Myfanwy’s mentor and ally. As the head of the Checquy, designated “King,” Farrier must defend her tenuous hold on the agency’s secrecy – and many secrets of her own.
MONICA REED (Played by Olivia Munn)
Monica is from the U.S. Bureau of Variant Affairs (the American agency that mirrors the Checquy). Upon hearing of the mysterious incident at Millennium Bridge, she arrives in London to investigate the death of one of the victims – her former lover.
CONRAD GRANTCHESTER (Played by Adrian Lester)
Conrad Grantchester, the suave and charismatic “Queen” within the Checquy. Deputy to Farrier, he challenges her role as King as he unravels the mystery surrounding Myfanwy Thomas.
GESTALT (Played by Jon Fletcher, Catherine Steadman & Ronan Raftery)
Gestalt is the “hive mind” – four siblings sharing one consciousness. Robert (Ronan Raftery), Eliza (Catherine Steadman) and identical twins Alex and Teddy (Jon Fletcher) appear to be individuals, each with distinctive manners and tastes in dress – but this distinction is a facade to enhance their value as agents. They are, in fact, one person, silently sharing every thought.
