In Sky Comedy’s new series The Franchise, the real superheroes are the people trying to make superhero movies.
In a battle of egos, industry red tape and a ticking deadline, it takes one to rise above to get things done.
Created by Jon Brown (Succession), with Armando Iannucci (Veep) and Sam Mendes (Spectre), these crew members of Tecto: Eye of the Storm have certainly proved colourful.
Here’s everything you need to know about the main stars of this brand new comedy, available on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
Who are the key characters in The Franchise?
Daniel Kumar
Played by: Himesh Patel (Yesterday, Station Eleven, EastEnders)
As the first assistant director, Daniel’s job is to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible – or at the very least functioning.
But with hundreds of requests, tweaks and complaints every day, it takes everything for him not to pull his hair out.
However, Daniel is also passionate about the project, and hopes one day it will lead him to finally getting the directors’ credit he’s dreamed of.
Anita Yarnell
Played by: Aya Cash (The Boys, The Girl From Plainville)
A producer added late to the Tecto team, it’s Anita’s job to deal with the Maximum Studio executives and make sure they get what they want.
That’s easier said than done when she realises this also includes somehow wedging a tractor into a movie set in space.
To make things more difficult for her, she’s Daniel’s ex-girlfriend, and their break-up wasn’t exactly an easy one.
Eric Broushard
Played by: Daniel Brühl (Captain America: Civil War, Inglourious Basterds)
An award-winning artiste and auteur, Eric takes a lot of pride in his work – and is very good friends with Christopher Nolan, don’t you know.
Taking life and the Tecto world far too seriously, he’s not used to the restrictive nature of working for a big studio like Maximum, and makes sure everyone knows that his “vision” comes above all else, no matter what people say.
Steph Munden
Played by: Jessica Hynes (The Royle Family, Spaced)
Script Supervisor Steph is a devoted team member of Eric – and will do what it takes to make sure his vision becomes a reality.
That’s if she doesn’t get distracted by the men around the set.
Adam Randolph
Played by: Billy Magnussen (No Time To Die, Road House)
As the leading man of Tecto: Eye of the Storm, Adam has finally landed his big break that will shoot him into A-list status, so wants everything to be perfect.
Riddled with imposter syndrome, Adam will go to extreme lengths to be considered worthy of using Tecto’s invisible jackhammer and earthquake-causing glove.
Peter Fairchild
Played by: Richard E. Grant (Loki, Can You Ever Forgive Me?)
A former Shakespearean actor, Peter is happily cashing in by playing the villain in Tecto.
Despite making it clear that he feels this project is beneath him, he’s more than a little jealous that Adam has taken the number one slot on the call sheet, so spends his time playfully digging at his scene partner.
Dag Nwaeze
Played by: Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Miracle Workers)
As the third-assistant director, Dag lives in Daniel’s shadow on set as his second-in-command.
Despite it being her first day on set, Dag quickly acts like she’s above the task at hand, and wants to land a more important credit by any means necessary.
She fears Tecto is the latest sign the Hollywood industry is dying.
Pat Shannon
Played by: Darren Goldstein (The Affair, Ozark)
Pat Shannon is the face of Maximum Productions on set, working for a mysterious figure who dishes out commands at will.
Drunk with power, he’s overlooking all the current projects in the franchise to make sure the head of the company is getting what he wants.
Brutish and commanding attention, Pat tries and fails to be part of the team.
Bryson
Played by: Isaac Powell (American Horror Story, Dear Evan Hansen)
Bryson is a professional go-between for the studio head, Pat, and the team at large, often acting as the eyes and ears of what’s going on during shoots.
He is often seen speaking for his boss who for some reason insists everything goes through him.
New to the industry and knowing the importance of the big break, Bryson is a ‘put up and shut up’ kind of guy, even when that means sacrificing things in his personal life.