Luke Evans Joins "Criminal" TV Adaptation at Amazon

Luke Evans has been cast in a lead role in Amazon Prime Video‘s upcoming series adaptation of the “Criminal” graphic novels.

The news comes just one day after it was reported that the “Game of Thrones” star Emilia Clarke will also star in the series. 

Previously announced cast members include Charlie Hunnam, Richard Jenkins, John Hawkes, Adria Arjona, Logan Browning, Kadeem Hardison, Pat Healy, Taylor Sele, Gus Halper, Aliyah Camacho, Michael Mando, Marvin Jones III, Michael Xavier, and Dominic Burgess.

The graphic novels were created by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.

The official description states the series is “an interlocking universe of crime stories.”

Evans will play Tracy Lawless, described as “Tracy Lawless was pushed out of the outlaw life of his family (his father is the legendary Teeg Lawless and Ricky (Halper) is his little brother) at the age of 18 when a judge gave him a choice of prison or the military. In the Army, Tracy thrived, his wild outlaw instincts getting funneled into the strict discipline of the military. He was placed into the Special Forces and trained to be an expert in covert operations and guerilla warfare. But underneath it all, the Lawless blood still pumps in his heart.”

Evans’ past TV credits include “Echo 3” at Apple TV+, “The Alienist” at TNT, and “Nine Perfect Strangers” at Hulu.  On the film side, he is known for appearing in movies like “Good Grief,” “Crisis,” “Midway,” two of “The Hobbit” films, three of the “Fast & Furious” films, “Dracula Untold,” and “Professor Marston and The Wonder Woman.” 

He recently made his return to the stage after nearly two decades in the West End production of “Backstairs Billy” directed by Michael Grandage and co-starring Penelope Wilton.

Brubaker will serve as co-showrunner and executive producer on “Criminal” along with Jordan Harper. Phillips also executive produces, as does Sarah Carbiener and Philipp Barnett. 

Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden will direct the first four episodes. Legendary Television will also serve as an executive producer. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.