Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for playing Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, is heading into supernatural territory with MGM+’s upcoming horror series The Black Tapes. The eight-episode show is based on the hit paranormal podcast of the same name, which has accumulated more than 60 million downloads since its 2015 debut. Production is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in January.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stars in MGM+’s eight-episode horror series, The Black Tapes, based on the hit paranormal podcast
Variety reported that Coster-Waldau will play Dr. Richard Strand. The character is a brilliant psychiatrist with a mysterious past.
Strand teams up with scientist Alex Regan to investigate unexplained cases. These involve hauntings, possessions, disappearances and sinister legends.
At first, the pair try to debunk the strange events. However, their investigation leads them toward a hidden occult world. They also uncover a centuries-old apocalyptic conspiracy.
Podcast creators Terry Miles and Paul Bae will write and executive produce the adaptation. Meanwhile, Kearie Peak of Peak Pictures will also serve as an executive producer.
John Rogers and Jennifer Court of Kung Fu Monkey Productions will join them as executive producers. MGM+ Studios will handle production.
MGM+ global head Michael Wright described the series as a mix of unexplained phenomena and cinematic storytelling. He also praised Coster-Waldau and the creative team behind the project.
Rogers said he was an early fan of the podcast. He called it “a unique blend of truly unsettling horror and puzzle-box conspiracy mystery.”
He also said Miles and Bae would bring their knowledge of the original story into the writers’ room. As a result, the team can expand the mythology while introducing it to new viewers.
Peak also praised the project.
“I’ve always been a sucker for a great conspiracy story,” she said.
She added that the mix of investigation and supernatural horror made the series a natural fit for MGM+. She also called Coster-Waldau an inspired choice for Dr. Strand.
The series will launch on MGM+ in several markets. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Spain.
It will also be available in Belgium, the Netherlands and Latin America.
