Kurt Sutter’s FX ‘Bastard Executioner’ Adds Stephen Moyer, Matthew Rhys and More

Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter’s new FX project The Bastard Executioner has at last hit full swing, setting a major cast for the medieval period pilot. Not only will Katey Sagal lead the cast, but so too will True Blood star Stephen Moyer, several newcomers, Sutter himself, and even The Americans lead Matthew Rhys.

Per FX’s official announcement on the matter, Australian newcomer Lee Jones will take the title role, with True Blood alum Moyer portraying his right-hand man, Sutter’s wife Sagal playing the mysterious “Annora,” and Sutter himself playing a “Dark Mute.” The Americans star Matthew Rhys will appear in a guest capacity as a Welsh rebel leader, finally utilizing the actor’s native accent.

Not yet ordered to series, Sutter’s Bastard Executioner follows “a warrior knight in King Edward III’s charge who is broken by the ravages of war and vows to lay down his sword. But when that violence finds him again he is forced to pick up the bloodiest sword of all.” In addition to Sutter’s creative and starring role, Sons of Anarchy veteran Paris Barclay will return to direct the new series.

So reads FX’s full cast sheet for The Bastard Executioner:

Lee Jones, a newly discovered Australian theater actor, will take the lead as “Wilkin Brattle”: Tall, dark, imposing. Emotionally deep, spiritually tortured. Former knight in the charge of King Edward I. He now lives a simple agrarian life.

Stephen Moyer (True Blood) will star as “Milus Corbett”: Street smart and noble savvy. He was one of Ventris’ marshals in the army. Now, serves as his Chamberlain, Chancellor and Justiciar. Friend and drinking mate.

Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) will star as “Annora of the Alders”: Prescient, mystical and beautiful. She offers predictions, cures and potions.

Flora Spencer-Longhurst will star as “Baroness Lowry ‘Love’ Aberffraw Ventris”: As cunning as she is kind and beautiful. From a wealthy Welsh family, she married Ventris at 17 to protect her family’s land. Her noble duties always in conflict with her Welsh pride.

Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield) will star as “The Dark Mute”: Mate and guardian of Annora. Speaks rarely, no one’s ever seen his face.

Sam Spruell (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hurt Locker) will star as “Toran Prichard”: Fierce, tenacious. An archer under Madog Llywelyn in the last major Welsh rebellion. He put down the bow and picked up the hoe. Wilkin’s best mate.

Darren Evans (Galavant) will star as “Ash y Goedwig”: Wiry, smart. A trapper. An orphan “of the woods”. Friend of Wilkin.

Danny Sapani (Trance, Penny Dreadful) will star as “Berber the Moor”: A large, educated man. Converted Muslim. A farmer. Friend of Wilkin.

Timothy V. Murphy (Sons of Anarchy, The Lone Ranger) will star as “Father Ruskin”: A Brawny. Gentle, with bottled fury. Former soldier. Left the military for the seminary. Priest, rector and teacher of the court.

Sarah White will star as “Isabel Kiffin”: Tall, slight. Awkward and innocent. Lady Love’s handmaiden and trusted confidant.

Sarah Sweeny as “Jessamy Maddox”: Pretty, hardened by abuse. The executioner’s wife.

In a guest-starring role, Matthew Rhys as “Gruffudd y Blaidd”: Smart, fearless, of noble blood. The Wolf. Leader of the Welsh rebels, Byth Encil. [Note: this role does not change his lead position in the FX drama series The Americans.]

We spoke with Sutter on The Bastard Executioner at Comic-Con 2014, while production of the pilot will begin on March 19 in Wales. Does Kurt Sutter’s latest FX drama sound like a worthy successor to Sons of Anarchy?