Paramount+ today announced that acclaimed Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominee, Naveen Andrews will play the lead antagonist, Ray Kinnock, in the highly-anticipated second season of Australian original series Last King of The Cross, which will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Best known for his role in the cult television series Lost, for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award along with the cast, British actor Naveen has also appeared in the iconic classic movie The English Patient among others, and most recently, The Dropout, alongside Amanda Seyfried.
With filming underway in Sydney, season two of Last King of The Cross sees John’s sights set on capturing a new kingdom – the glittering prize of Oxford Street, Sydney’s nightclub empire. Naveen will bring to life the fictional character of Ray Kinnock, who is determined to either keep John out, or take him down.
Joining the many faces intent on challenging John’s crown in season two, are homegrown talent Luke Arnold (Scrublands, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart) and Matuse (The Fall Guy, Furiosa), who will play Dean Taylor and Benny respectively, two new drug lords hell-bent on bringing their booming trade into John’s clubs.
Paramount Australia’s Creative Advisor Drama, Rick Maier said: “Going up against the Ibrahims on screen is no easy task. Naveen promises to give Lincoln and Claude a run for their money. He’s a brilliant actor, and a fantastic inclusion for series two.
“The addition of Luke and Matuse only add weight to the feeling that this is the hottest ticket in town for actors keen to join this red hot ensemble. They will be terrific.”
Last King of The Cross is a HELIUM Pictures production for Paramount+ Australia with Cineflix Rights as the exclusive international distribution partner. The series has received major production investment from Paramount Australia in association with Screen Australia and is financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW fund and Fulcrum Media Finance. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW and Screen Queensland.
Executive Producer for HELIUM, Mark Fennessy said: “Naveen is a highly respected and celebrated actor who has captivated audiences with stunning performances in major hits such as Lost, The English Patient, Bride and Prejudice and more recently The Dropout. A massive addition to Last King of The Cross, as our primary antagonist, he brings a delicious mix of cool and class to a diverse and multi-talented cast”.
Last King of The Cross season two joins a host of the Paramount+ Australian Originals currently streaming on Paramount+, including Paper Dolls, NCIS: Sydney, Last King Of The Cross (S1) and The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers, with Fake and Top Gear Australia streaming soon.