Quintessa Swindell has exited upcoming Netflix series “Feral,” Variety has learned. Swindell’s role will instead be played by “My Brilliant Career” star Philippa Northeast.
“Feral” is based on Shirley Conran’s 1987 novel “Savages,” about four women who have to learn to survive in the jungle after a work trip accompanying their husbands takes an unexpected and dangerous turn.
The seven-part adaptation stars Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) as Annie, Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey”) as Julia and Genevieve O’Reilly as Silvana. Dolly de Leon (“Triangle of Sadness”) also joins as Elena.
Northeast will now play Suzy, whose character in the book is said to be “sensuous” and “spoiled.” No reason was given for the casting change.
The logline for the comedic drama series, which is about to start shooting in Australia, reads: “Four very different women accompany their mining executive husbands on a corporate holiday to a beautiful but lethal tropical island. When the men’s shady deals land them all in danger, the women must learn to survive the jungle – and each other. Can they put aside their differences, self-doubts and vanities to stay alive?”
“Hamnet” producer Hera Pictures is adapting the book, with Jude Mack writing the screenplay and Emma Freeman directing.
“We’re delighted to be working with the incredibly talented Jude Mack to bring Shirley Conran’s best-selling novel to the screen,” Hera Pictures founder Liza Marshall said when the show was first announced.
“The extraordinary female characters at the heart of the show will be pushed to extremes, behave deliciously badly and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Emma Freeman is the perfect director to take us on the ride, and Netflix have wholeheartedly embraced the scale and ambition of the show.”