AMC’s ‘Preacher’ Casts Lucy Griffiths, Dominic Cooper Closer to Lead Role

AMC’s Preacher adaptation made serious headway in casting its unholy trio with the additions of Tulip and Cassidy, but main man Jesse Custer remains in the shadows. Agent Carter alum Dominic Cooper is reportedly close to signing for the role, while Constantine star Lucy Griffiths has also joined the comic adaptation.

Per Deadline, Cooper remains in negotiation for the titular Preacher role of Jesse Custer, having initially been rumored as a frontrunner. In addition to the pending negotiations, Constantine and True Blood star Lucy Griffiths will play the role of wise no-nonsense single mother Emily Woodrow, a waitress, church organist, bookkeeper and Jesse’s loyal right hand, with a bit of a crush on the man.

Griffiths joins Misfits star Joseph Gilgun as Irish vampire Cassidy, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. veteran Ruth Negga in the role of female lead Tulip, along with Ian Colletti as the disfigured “Arseface.” For those unfamiliar with the 1990s comic series from Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, AMC’s official description of Preacher reads:

Preacher is about Jesse Custer, a conflicted Preacher in a small Texas town who merges with a creature that has escaped from heaven and develops the ability to make anyone do anything he says. Along with his ex-girlfriend, Tulip, and an Irish vampire named Cassidy, the three embark on a journey to literally find God.

The original Preacher had itself been optioned for various adaptations many times over the years, while AMC’s incarnation will shoot this summer for a potential 2016 airdate. Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) will serve as executive producer and showrunner for the new series, while fellow producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg will direct the pilot episode, having written the script with Catlin.

Will Dominic Cooper finally close the deal, or pull the rug out from under AMC’s Preacher? Who beside Lucy Griffiths should join the cast?