AMC’s stronghold over gritty, adult-oriented comic book fare continues with its Preacher adaptation. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are developing the small screen series based on the cult classic comic by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The main thrust of the controversial story focuses on badass Texan preacher, Jesse Custer. After he learns that his maker has been shirking on his heavenly duties, Custer enlists his best friend and ex-girlfriend to aid in his mission to hunt down God.
Casting kicked off recently and looks to confidently firming up its core crew. So far, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Ruth Negga is set as Custer’s fiery ex-paramour Tulip, This Is England‘s Joseph Gilgun will tag along as his haphazard best mate Cassidy, and Ian Colletti is locked in to play the unfortunately-named Arseface.
That initial line-up expands a little more today with THR reporting that Lucy Griffiths has boarded the cast. No stranger to DC Comics’ lore, Griffiths appeared in the pilot of Constantine, which spookily enough scored tremendous success on the page with Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits” storyline. For Preacher, she’s set to play Emily Woodrow, described by the trade as “a no-nonsense single mother of three. Emily’s a waitress, the church organist, a bookkeeper and Jesse’s loyal right hand. Stoic and strong, wise beyond her years, she can’t help but have a little thing for Preacher Jesse.”
Speaking of the leading man, Marvel alum Dominic Cooper has been intermittently connected to the part for some time. Courtesy of a new report from The Tracking Board, he is now ironing out the final contractual details for the role, ahead of his official announcement as Jesse Custer.
Stay tuned for more news on Preacher, as we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest casting developments and production details.
Preacher is about Jesse Custer, a conflicted Preacher in a small Texas town who merges with a creature that has escaped from heaven and develops the ability to make anyone do anything he says. Along with his ex-girlfriend, Tulip, and an Irish vampire named Cassidy, the three embark on a journey to literally find God.