LOS ANGELES, September 19 — The story begins with a franchise that has spent years reinventing itself, and a network betting it can do the same on television. FX’s adaptation of the “Far Cry” video game series has added five actors to its first-season cast, Variety reported on September 17. Brendan Gleeson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hamish Linklater, Sam Spruell and Jamie Demetriou are all set to appear in the debut season, which is based on the Ubisoft franchise of the same name.
The five join previously announced lead and co-creator Rob Mac, alongside fellow cast members Lizzy Caplan and Steve Buscemi.
What each of the new arrivals brings
Gleeson’s credits include the films “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “In Bruges.” Leigh’s include “The Hateful Eight” and the FX series “Fargo.” Linklater’s include “Widow’s Bay” and “Midnight Mass,” while Spruell’s include “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and FX’s “Alien: Earth.” Demetriou is known for “Stath Lets Flats” and “The Afterparty.” At its heart, this is a reunion between FX and a creative team it has backed before. The series was first reported to be set up at FX in November 2025, from creators Noah Hawley and Mac.
Hawley has an overall deal with FX and Disney Entertainment Television via 26 Keys, and Mac will executive produce under his More Better Productions banner. Exact plot and character details remain under wraps.
But the structure is already settled. The series will follow an anthology format like the “Far Cry” games, featuring a different cast and setting each season.
A franchise built for reinvention
That approach mirrors the source material closely. The “Far Cry” video game franchise originated with the 2004 first-person shooter developed by Crytek and published by Ubisoft, and subsequent installments have moved through varied settings and antagonists. The production carries a deep bench of executive producers.
Simon Emanuel joins alongside Emilia Serrano for 26 Keys, Nick Frenkel for 3 Arts, Monica Macer, Peter Calloway, John Campisi, and Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin and Austin Dill for Ubisoft Film & Television. FX Productions will produce.
For those involved, the casting announcements also come with the usual representation credits. Gleeson is repped by CAA and Principal Entertainment. Leigh by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.
Linklater by Untitled Entertainment, Gersh and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Spruell by Lou Coulson Associates and Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Demetriou by United Agents, CAA and Multitude Media.
What unfolded here is part of a wider wave. The FX project marks another video game adaptation for television, following a run of such projects across streaming platforms. Variety published the report on September 17, with Joe Otterson credited as the TV reporter.
“Far Cry” will air on FX, Hulu, and Disney+ internationally. Watch for further casting and the first details of which setting the opening season will occupy.
