Shabana Azmi signs Steven Spielberg’s 9-part web series Halo directed by Otto Bathurst

Halo is one of the most popular video game franchises in the world. It has sold more than 77 million copies since its initial release in 2001. The series comes from Showtime, Amblin Television and Microsoft. Halo, which Showtime has described as its “most ambitious series ever”, is set to begin production in Budapest in the fall.

Natascha McElhone, Shabana Azmi, Bokeem Woodbine, Bentley Kalu, Natasha Culzac and Kate Kennedy have signed on to the drama based on the mega-popular video game franchise. The series will dramatize the conflict between humanity and an alien race known as the Covenant in the 26th century.

Pablo Schreiber plays the iconic Master Chief role. McElhone (Designated Survivor, Californication) will play Cortana, the most advanced AI in human history who may be the key to the survival of the human race. Emmy nominee Woodbine (Fargo, Spider-Man: Homecoming) plays Soren-066, a morally complex privateer at the fringes of civilization. Shabana Azmi will play Admiral Margaret Parangosky, the head of the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Shabana said, “It can’t get bigger than this! Asian actors have been fighting for colour blind casting for years… finally it’s become a reality! This is completely new territory for me – I’m both excited and nervous which is a good place to be in.”

Ask how she bagged the part she replies, “It just fell into my lap! I had to give up on 2 projects I was scheduled to do here but I figured it would be worth it”. Stay tuned to CineBlitz for more interesting features about celebrities from showbiz.