See a New Side of Amanda Seyfried in Upcoming Peacock Thriller Long Bright River
Long Bright River's showrunner Nikki Toscano teased the eight-part limited series features Emmy award-winning actress Amanda Seyfried like "you’ve never seen her before."
A new spine-tingling thriller starring Emmy-award winner Amanda Seyfried is headed to Peacock.
The gritty limited series Long Bright River, based on Liz Moore’s critically acclaimed book of the same name, will stream exclusively on Peacock, beginning March 13.
The eight-part thriller will delve into the world of drugs and murder as it follows Philadelphia police officer Mickey, played by Seyfried, as she patrols a poverty-stricken neighborhood hit hard by the opioid crisis.
“When a series of murders begins in the neighborhood, Mickey realizes that her personal history might be related to the case,” the synopsis explains.
What is Long Bright River about?
Nikki Toscano, who serves as showrunner, executive producer, director, and writer of the series, said Long Bright River will focus on the complicated relationship between two sisters.
“Liz Moore’s breathtakingly beautiful story about a patrol cop on the hunt for her missing younger sister in the midst of a series of murders in Kensington, Philadelphia was as compelling in its family drama as it was in its murder mystery,” Toscano said of the project. “I immediately knew it was something I wanted to take a crack at translating to screen with Liz. The challenge of adapting this moving love story between two sisters as it elegantly weaves between the past and the present was thrilling, particularly as the history of this family’s past holds a critical key in solving the murder/mystery that unfolds in the present. Equally compelling was the sense of place Liz brought to her novel which I was excited about translating to screen, both as a writer and as a director.”
Toscano, known for her work on The Offer and Hunters, also said she was drawn in by the opportunity to upend stereotypes about poverty, addiction, sex work, and police work as the mystery unravels.
“In fact, what makes Long Bright River so unique as a series is that it aims to deconstruct the ‘police as savior’ narrative—a journey pulled through our protagonist, Mickey Fitzpatrick, played by Amanda Seyfried,” she added.
Moore, who will also served as a writer and executive producer on the series, said the story was inspired by the “tight-knit, vibrant” Kensington neighborhood, her own family history of addiction which “spanned many generations,” her role as a sister herself, and the city of Philadelphia, which all played a part in creating the masterful story.
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She called the process of bringing the novel to life on screen a “moving experience.”
“Just as I can't point to one source of inspiration for the book, I can't point to one source of inspiration for the series—not even the novel itself,” she said in a statement. “Long Bright River, the series, has been a true group effort. Everyone involved—including co-creator and showrunner Nikki Toscano (who was also one of our directors on the series!); our talented actors, led by Amanda Seyfried; each department; the entire crew—has brought their own creative voice to the table to make this series feel brand new. The city of Philadelphia and the neighborhood of Kensington have also played an important part, lending advisors, artists, musicians, set dressers, actors— trained and untrained—to the production. We are indebted to them for sharing their voices and vision with us.”
Who will star in Long Bright River?
Alongside Amanda Seyfried — who earned an Emmy for her 2022 portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout — the series will also star Nicholas Pinnock, Ashleigh Cummings, Callum Vinson, and John Doman.
Seyfried will also serve as an executive producer alongside Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty and Amanda Lewis for Original Film; Amy Pascal for Pascal Pictures, Russell Rothberg and Hagar Ben-Asher.
Ben-Asher will also direct several episodes of the limited series.
Toscano had high praise for Seyfried’s powerful performance in the series, as well as the other members of the cast and crew, who worked together to create the tough Kensington neighborhood.
“Strap yourself in—‘cause this is Amanda like you’ve never seen her before—flawed and raw, tarred by guilt and shame and legacy, but never more compelling. She puts every ounce of her soul onto the screen and her performance will break your heart,” Toscano shared. “In fact, all of our cast’s performances—Nicholas, Ashleigh, Callum, and John, among so many others—will grab a hold of you and never let go.”
When will Long Bright River premiere?
Long Bright River will premiere March 13 on Peacock, at which time all eight episodes will be available to binge.
