Julianne Nicholson (Black Mass, “Masters of Sex”) has been cast in the lead role of USA Network‘s crime thriller Eyewitness (original title “Øyevitne”), with Tyler Young (“Empire”) joining as a series regular to play her foster son. From Universal Cable Productions (UCP), the Norwegian drama, adapted for American television by Adi Hasak (Creator, “Shades of Blue”), explores a grisly crime from the point of view of the eyewitness. Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Miss You Already) has signed on as Executive Producer for the pilot and will direct the first two episodes.
Nicholson will play “Helen Torrance,” a former big-city homicide detective who left her harrowing career to become a small-town sheriff and loving wife. However, when a gruesome crime occurs she’s thrust back into the traumas of her past – just as she’s begun her hardest case yet: fostering a teenage boy.
Most recently Nicholson co-starred opposite Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton in Black Mass. Additional film credits include the SAG Award and Critic’s Choice Award nominated film August: Osage County as well as the title role in Sophie and the Rising Sun with Margo Martindale. She starred in the Sundance scripted series “The Red Road,” and had recurring roles on “Masters of Sex” and “Boardwalk Empire.”
Young will star as “Philip O’Brien,” a sensitive yet tough teenager from the projects who has seen more pain than anyone ever should. But he gets a shot to start over with his foster mother, Helen, in an idyllic small town. There, Philip’s on the verge of falling in love with a boy from school, Lukas, when they witness a quadruple murder. Philip becomes more troubled than ever as the two boys swear themselves to secrecy for fear of being outed.
Born and raised in Chicago, Young’s most recent work included a series regular role on “The Avatars” as well as guest appearances on “Empire” and “Chicago Fire.” He has had the privilege of training with some of Chicago’s finest institutions including the Acting Studio Chicago, The Second City and The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Eyewitness is executive produced by Adi Hasak (Creator, “Shades of Blue”), Jarl Emsell Larsen and Scott Peters (“V,” “THE 4400”).
(Photo Credit: WENN.com)
