Game of Thrones star set for Midlands film

West Midlands filmmakers sign up star for their latest production.

Game of Thrones star James Cosmo will play the lead role in the upcoming supernatural thriller Off Grid from West Midlands production company Dark Matter Films. Award-winning actor Cosmo has a career spanning five decades, and is known for roles such as Braveheart, Trainspotting, The Chronicles of Narnia, Troy and Wonder Woman.

Off Grid will be the second short film for Midlands-based director Carl Timms and his writing partner Mark Brendan, who run Dark Matter Films. Their first film, the zombie short Still, was filmed on location in Birmingham city centre and appeared at 25 film festivals, winning nine awards.

Director Carl Timms said, “I couldn’t be happier that James Cosmo has joined us for Off Grid. From the moment I read the script, I thought he’d be perfect for the role. James is that rare kind of actor who can play both terrifying and gentle with equal aplomb, a combination of qualities that make his character Tanner a force of nature.”

Cosmo will be joined in Off Grid by renowned British horror actress Kate Davies-Speak, best known for her role in multi-award winning sci-fi show Horizon. The short will begin shooting in June this year on location in Worcestershire, with a portion of the film’s budget being raised by public crowdfunding.

The Off Grid campaign launches on Indiegogo this week, with donations starting at £10. The ‘perks’ on offer include the chance to be an extra in the film, land an Executive Producer role or take part in an exclusive combat workshop with Movieworks International, stunt providers to films such as Prince of Persia and King Arthur.

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