Peter Sarsgaard Cast Opposite Kenneth Branagh in Paramount+ Drama 'Laird'

Peter Sarsgaard has joined the Paramount+ drama series "Laird," Variety has learned. He stars opposite previously announced lead Kenneth Branagh in the show, which Paramount+ ordered straight to series in July.

The official logline describes "Laird" as "an epic family saga in which a proud Scot defies a shadowy American billionaire (Sarsgaard) hellbent on buying up the glens. Amidst family feuds, buried secrets and star-crossed romances, the Laird of Castle Drummoch (Branagh) remains determined to protect his ancestral lands from oligarchical land grabbing."

Sarsgaard plays Peter Bergstrom, described as "a ruthless, self-made tech titan and land magnate whose influence spans continents. He is not simply building wealth, but power – shaping land, industry, and people as extensions of his ambition."

This marks Sarsgaard's return to Paramount+. He previously starred in the series "Interrogation" when the streamer operated under the name CBS All Access. Sarsgaard is a two-time Emmy nominee — first for the Hulu limited series "Dopesick" and then for the first season of the Apple TV series "Presumed Innocent." His television credits also include "DTF St. Louis," "The Looming Tower," and "The Slap." Film audiences know him from "Blue Jasmine," "An Education," "Kinsey," "Jarhead," and "Shattered Glass." He is repped by WME, ID PR, and Peikoff/Mahan.

"Laird" comes from Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, the co-creators of the Paramount+ series "The Agency." Jez Butterworth also serves as co-creator and showrunner of Paramount+'s "Mobland." Georgia Lee is a co-creator on "Laird" as well.

The Butterworths executive produce the series alongside Branagh, who executive produces in addition to starring. David Glasser, Joe Wright, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch, and Keith Cox also serve as executive producers. Wright is attached to direct the pilot. Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios produce.

With Branagh in front of the camera and Wright behind it for the pilot, "Laird" pairs two of Britain's most established film talents with the Butterworths' proven track record at Paramount+ — a combination the streamer will bank on as it builds its slate of high-end original drama.