TV News: FX Casts David Bradley In Key Role of New Series THE STRAIN

If the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, perhaps the name Argus Filch will. David Bradley played the ever cranky Hogwarts caretaker and cat lover Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies. And for you Game of Thrones fans, he was the despicable Lord Walder Frey.

In a press release:

DAVID BRADLEY LANDS KEY ROLE IN THE STRAIN

Bradley to Play “Professor Abraham Setrakian”

Bradley Joins Cast Starring Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown,

Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez

Drama Series Based on the Best-Selling Novels

by Oscar^® Nominee Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Who Are Executive Producers and Co-Wrote The Pilot Which Was Directed by del Toro

Emmy^®Award-Winning Writer/Producer Carlton Cuse Also Serves as

Executive Producer, Showrunner and Writer

LOS ANGELES, November 21, 2013 – Acclaimed actor David Bradley has been cast in the role of “Professor Abraham Setrakian” in the FX drama series The Strain, from Academy Award^® nominated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, author Chuck Hogan and writer/producer Carlton Cuse, which is based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy of the same title written by del Toro and Hogan.

In The Strain, “Setrakian” is a holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States after World War II and now runs a pawn shop in Spanish Harlem. As the outbreak spreads, he may be the only one with answers – if anyone will listen. This role was previously held by John Hurt, but was recast by the producers and FX Productions.

Bradley joins an ensemble cast that features Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland, and Miguel Gomez.

Bradley’s notable television credits include HBO’s award-winning series Game of Thrones, the BAFTA^® Award-winning BBC series Doctor Who, the acclaimed drama Broadchurch, Mount Pleasant, and The Tudors. Bradley was a mainstay in the hugely successful Harry Potter movie franchise in the role of “Argus Finch.” For his work in theater, Bradley was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theater Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1991 for his performance in King Lear at the Royal National Theatre.

The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of “Dr. Ephraim Goodweather” (Corey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

The Strain, which received a series order earlier this week, begins production later this month in Toronto and the series is scheduled to premiere in July of 2014 on FX.

Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers del Toro and Hogan co-wrote the pilot script for The Strain, which was directed by del Toro. Emmy^® Award winning Writer and Producer Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) will serve as Executive Producer/Showrunner and Writer. Gary Ungar will also serve as Executive Producer. The series is produced by FX Productions.