5 has announced the cast for its reimagining of the Scottish Highlands saga Monarch of the Glen, being produced by Ecosse Films, makers of the original series.
The six-parter will see Julia Brown (World on Fire, Karen Pirie) as high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell, who finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral, expecting to be gone in days. Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother, Alasdair, played by Chris Fulton (Bridgerton, Outlander), refusing to let go of their ancestral home. Under the same roof for the first time in years, brother and sister must find a way to save the struggling estate before they lose it for good.
Further casting includes Ewan Miller (High Value Target, The Gray House) as gamekeeper and family friend Ewan, and Rishi Nair (Grantchester, The Marlow Murder Club) as businessman Daniel. Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, A Taste for Murder) stars as Morag, with John Gordon Sinclair (Gregory’s Girl, World War Z) as longtime family lawyer Fergus and Gordon Kennedy (Robin Hood, The Diplomat) as stockman Angus.
Monarch of the Glen is produced by Ecosse Films and Masterpiece PBS, in association with Northern Ireland Screen and distribution partner Banijay Rights, the global sales arm of media and entertainment group, Banijay Entertainment. The series was commissioned by Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Scripted, Paramount UK, Sebastian Cardwell, alongside Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5.
The series is created, written and executive produced by Jeremy Brock (A Very Royal Scandal, The Last King of Scotland, Mrs Brown). Stephen Greenhorn (Sunshine on Leith, Dept. Q, River City) joins as writer for episode 4, and Meriel Sheibani-Clare (The Crown) as writer for episode 5. Tom Vaughan (Doctor Foster, Victoria) serves as director and executive producer.
Producers are Alex Boyd (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast), Robert Bernstein & Douglas Rae (Monarch of the Glen, The Trial of Christine Keeler, The Great Escaper, Fleming) alongside executive producers Rob Darnell and Adam Duncan for Ecosse Films. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer for Masterpiece. Production for the new series is currently taking place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Julia Brown said “I’m so excited to be stepping into the world of Monarch of the Glen and bringing Isla Campbell to life. Isla is ambitious, sharp and fiercely independent, but returning home to Scotland forces her to confront her past, her family and a future she never expected. I am so, so proud to be joining such a talented cast and cannot wait to bring this heartfelt story to audiences.”
Phyllis Logan added: “Monarch of the Glen holds such a special place in people’s hearts, so it’s a real privilege to be part of its return. The scripts are full of wit, warmth and wonderful characters, and I’m delighted to be working alongside this brilliant cast and crew. It will be great fun to welcome audiences back to Scotland.”
The series is expected to air on 5 and Masterpiece PBS in 2027 with further details to be announced.
Pippa Considine
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