Stan has announced Sean Penn (Stan Original Gaslit) is joining the cast of the new Stan Original series C*A*U*G*H*T. Director, producer and writer Kick Gurry (Edge of Tomorrow) stars in the six-episode series alongside Ben O’Toole (Detroit), Lincoln Younes (Last King of the Cross), Alexander England (upcoming Stan Original Black Snow), Mel Jarnson (Mortal Kombat), Fayssal Bazzi (Stateless), Dorian Nkono (The Twelve) and Rebecca Breeds (Stan exclusive Clarice). The series is produced in association with Fremantle.
Also joining the cast is Matthew Fox (Stan Original Last Light), Bella Heathcote (Stan Original Bloom), Bryan Brown (Stan Original Bloom) and Erik Thomson (Black Snow).
C*A*U*G*H*T cast [Left to right, top to bottom] Alex England, Fayssal Bazzi, Bella Heathcote, Ben O’Toole, Bryan Brown, Dorian Nkono, Erik Thomson, Lincoln Younes, Mel Janson and Rebecca Breeds. Sean Penn pictured top of page.
Branded as a satirical comedy series, C*A*U*G*H*T follows four Australian soldiers sent on a secret mission to a war-torn country. Mistaken for Americans, they are captured by freedom fighters and produce a hostage video that goes viral. When the soldiers reach celebrity status, they realise that being caught might just be the best thing that could’ve happened to them.
Following a deal with Fremantle, the series is due to launch exclusively on new streaming service ITVX in the UK in 2023.
Comments from cast and production partners
Stan chief content officer Cailah Scobie: “To have an award-winning international superstar like Sean Penn join a superb cast that includes major Australian and Hollywood actors like Bryan Brown, Bella Heathcote, Fayssal Bazzi and Matthew Fox is a real coup. Helmed by the extraordinary Kick Gurry, C*A*U*G*H*T marks yet another blockbuster addition to our growing slate of locally produced, world-class Stan Originals — with the series promising to poke fun at celebrity culture, while exploring the often-outrageous price of fame. We look forward to working with Fremantle, ITVX and the creative team ahead of C*A*U*G*H*T premiering on Stan in 2023.”
Director, producer and creator Kick Gurry: “The biggest challenge for me was creating something worthy enough of all my insanely talented friends. I genuinely cannot wait to share this show with the whole world and look forward to the internet telling me how terribly I missed the mark.”
Kick Gurry on the set of C*A*U*G*H*T (Photo: Lisa Tomasetti)
Executive producer and actor Sean Penn: “Kick’s brand of irreverence is so charged by an enthusiasm for all things considered inappropriate. From ball-sacks, to fame, idiots and intellectuals, and finally to that creepy-crawly continuum of war. C*A*U*G*H*T captures the comedy that is generally confined to fox holes.”
Jamie Lynn, EVP co-productions, International, Fremantle: “Stan continues to set a high bar for premium originals and with the mirrored ambition of the soon-to-launch ITVX, we knew this could be a perfect partnership. Kick Gurry’s contagious enthusiasm and delightful scripts immediately convinced us this was a special and timely project unlike anything else in the market. The fact that A-list talent like Sean Penn, Matthew Fox and others quickly came to the same conclusion, along with an array of star-studded cameos, only reaffirmed this. C*A*U*G*H*T is going to surprise people in 2023 and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
ITV’s head of content acquisitions Sasha Breslau: “We are thrilled to be working with Stan and Fremantle to bring C*A*U*G*H*T to UK audiences, the star-studded cast and satirical humour will be a real treat for ITVX viewers next year.”
The Stan Original Series C*A*U*G*H*T is created, produced and directed by Kick Gurry. Sean Penn executive produces alongside producers John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz (Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, Stan Original film Gold) from Deeper Water Films, and Brendan Donoghue.
C*A*U*G*H*T is executive produced by Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie for Stan.
The series is produced in association with Fremantle, who will also handle international distribution for the series.
The Stan Original series C*A*U*G*H*T is now in production and will premiere in 2023.
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