'Freedom at Midnight': British talent joins SonyLIV's independence saga
What's the story
SonyLIV's upcoming drama series, Freedom at Midnight, has announced the addition of several British actors to its cast.
The series, exploring India's fight for independence and the subsequent partition in 1947, will feature performances from Cordelia Bugeja, Richard Teverson, Luke McGibney, Andrew Cullum, and Alistair Findlay.
These actors join existing cast members Sidhant Gupta (Jubilee), Chirag Vohra (Scam 1992), and Rajendra Chawla (Saas Bina Sasural) in this historical narrative.
Roles unveiled
Character portrayals in 'Freedom at Midnight' revealed
Per Deadline, Bugeja and McGibney are set to portray Lord Louis Mountbatten and Lady Edwina Mountbatten, the last Viceroy and Vicereine of India.
Findlay will take on the role of Archibald Wavell, the previous Viceroy of India.
Cullum will depict Clement Attlee, the UK Prime Minister (Winston Churchill) from 1945 to 1951.
Teverson is slated to play Cyril Radcliffe, chairman of the Boundary Commission for Partition of India.
Series overview
'Freedom at Midnight': A deep dive into India's independence
Freedom at Midnight, based on a book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins (1975), is one of SonyLIV's major projects for 2024.
The series promises "an immersive dive into one of India's most pivotal eras," tracing the journey from early demands for self-rule to independence in 1947.
It aims to explore the motivations, conflicts, and sacrifices of key figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Behind the scenes
Nikkhil Advani is taking the helm of 'Freedom at Midnight'
Adding further details about the cast, Gupta portrays Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, while Vohra takes on the role of Gandhi. Chawla, on the other hand, embodies Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
Nikkhil Advani is leading as showrunner and director, supported by a team of writers including Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor.
Production
Meet the production team behind the forthcoming series
The production of Freedom at Midnight is being managed by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani's Emmay Entertainment, in collaboration with StudioNext and SonyLIV.
Business Head of SonyLIV and StudioNext Danish Khan reportedly stated, "This series will tell the electrifying story of Indian Independence history with depth and authenticity. Under the leadership of Advani and his remarkably skilled team, the transition from page to screen will be nothing short of extraordinary."