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Tim Roth has stepped in to replace Ian McShane in Last King of the Cross, a crime series shooting now in and around Sydney, Australia.
According to Deadline, McShane exited the 10-part series due to "health concerns." The series' executive producer Mark Fennessy told the outlet: "It's unfortunate that Ian is unable to join us and we wish him a speedy recovery. We are truly delighted that the super brilliant Tim Roth joins our cast as Ezra and cannot wait to see him breathe life into yet another unforgettable character."
McShane was cast in March as Ezra Shipman, a powerful crime lord operating in Kings Cross, the sketchy area of Sydney where the series is set. Loosely based on John Ibrahim's autobiography, Last King of the Cross centers on two brothers whose sibling relationship crumbles as their business empire grows. Australian actor Lincoln Younes (Home and Away, Doctor Doctor) stars as Ibrahim, who overcomes a humble start in life to become "Australia’s most infamous nightclub mogul" and a key figure on the Kings Cross scene.
The series is in the works at Paramount+. In the meantime, we can also look out for Roth in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, the upcoming Disney+ superhero series starring Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany, which premieres August 17. Meanwhile, McShane is due to reprise his role as hotel manager Winston in John Wick: Chapter 4, which is scheduled for a 2023 release.
Are you hooked by the premise of Last King of the Cross?