Everything We Know About Kurt Sutter's 'Bastard Executioner' Pilot From Social Media
In the age of spoilers, you wouldn’t expect a creator to be documenting filming of a pilot on Twitter and Instagram, but then most social-savvy showrunners aren’t Kurt Sutter. After cultivating a passionate fan base for Sons of Anarchy, which took its final ride last December, Sutter is giving those eager to see what he’s doing next a sneak peak while he’s in Wales shooting his follow-up, The Bastard Executioner.
From the FX press release, we know the plot centers on a warrior knight (Lee Jones) in King Edward I’s charge who is broken by the ravages of war and vows to lay down his sword. When that violence finds him again, he is forced to pick up the bloodiest sword of all. The social media accounts of Sutter, director/executive producer Paris Barclay, and the cast, however, reveal more.
1. For starters, there will be beards.
Here is Sutter with, from left, Stephen Moyer, Jones, and Brian F. O’Byrne. Jones, an Aussie stage actor, plays the titular role, Wilkin Brattle, who is described as emotionally deep and spiritually tortured. O’Byrne is Baron Ventris, whose cunning wife (Flora Spencer-Longhurst) married him at 17 to protect her family’s land and finds her noble duties in conflict with her Welsh pride. Moyer, who professed his appreciation for SoA via Twitter multiple times, plays the street smart and noble-savvy Milus Corbett, who was once one of Ventris’s marshals in the army and is now his Chamberlain, Chancellor, and Justiciar (plus, drinking buddy).
Also noteworthy, a Twitter account has already been set up to admire the beard of their castmate Kyle Rees. Here’s a good look.
2. Sutter — whose SoA character, Otto, bit off his own tongue — will play “the Dark Mute.” He’s the mate and guardian of Annora of the Alders (Katey Sagal), a prescient, beautiful mystic who offers predictions, cures, and potions. No one has ever seen his face, which could explain this photo of Sutter.
Here’s a look at the rest of the cast, including SoA's Timothy V. Murphy, who'll play Father Ruskin, a former soldier who left the military for the seminary and has “bottled fury,” and The Americans's Matthew Rhys, who guests as Gruffudd y Blaidd (aka The Wolf), the leader of the Welsh rebels, Byth Encil.
3. The trees almost seem like another character.
Especially at night.
Night shoot in the ominous forest of Wales. #TBX pic.twitter.com/sYnHIPkhJF
— Bastard Executioner (@TheBastardEx)
4. The night scenes are particularly haunting.
nights #TBX @TheBastardEx pic.twitter.com/PrrTMDEGL0
— Lee Jones (@TheJonesLee)
It ain’t easy being a bastard and executioner. On a rainy Fraterday night. #TBX pic.twitter.com/ZHQp0SO5V6
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
5. And let’s not forget the solar eclipse.
6. The locations, however, are most stunning in the daylight…
The ruins of Wales create the perfect backdrop for The Bastard Executioner. #TBX pic.twitter.com/1mSh1xWHOK
— Bastard Executioner (@TheBastardEx)
A new vision…from the mind of @sutterink to your homes…#TBX pic.twitter.com/h9vx95Ould
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
We found the final location for #TBX. It has everything we need, and nothing we don’t. pic.twitter.com/byE00kLZdT
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
#tbx …. A castle on the edge of the world… pic.twitter.com/dYwRL6cNOB
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
7. Still, they had to build.
Building castles in the air. @sutterink and designer Giles Masters #TBX pic.twitter.com/cXaYmQTOt0
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
8. Even medieval sets get cell reception, as executive producer Brian Grazer proved.
When #briangrazer, our esteemed EP, comes to town, the phone never stops ringing…even in medieval times. #TBX pic.twitter.com/jI6fEOc9T6
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar)
9. SoA fans will still be able to use “ride” puns, thanks to the many horses.
It really has begun! Thanks for all the support everyone. Ride on with the amazing #TBX pic.twitter.com/9t8D9CsPVM
— Lee Jones (@TheJonesLee)
Horsey acting like a werewolf #owwwwww #moonlight #TBX #nightshoot pic.twitter.com/DjaQljsOKd
— Kyle Rees (@TheKyleRees)
Director of photography Henry Braham (Waking Ned Devine, the upcoming Tarzan) is even using a “Red Dragon Equestricam.”
10. Other animals will abound — as costumes, set dressing, and PETA bait.
Read this one closely.
11. And don’t leave out religion.
12. The show’s logo will look great on merch.
There could even be a journal/stationery section in the show’s FX shop.
Every prop and detail down to a leather satchel must be painstakingly crafted to maintain authenticity… #TBX pic.twitter.com/Gpu9iOOGvD
— Bastard Executioner (@TheBastardEx)
Found on the set of The Bastard Executioner. A love note… or a death sentence? #TBX pic.twitter.com/WxR391k1FI
— Bastard Executioner (@TheBastardEx)
13. The shoot is scheduled for 22 days. Let’s hope Sutter makes it.
To keep up with the filming of the Bastard Executioner pilot follow:
Kurt Sutter on Twitter and Instagram
Paris Barclay on Twitter
Lee Jones on Twitter
Stephen Moyer on Twitter and Instagram
Kyle Rees on Twitter and Instagram