Hunter Schafer has landed a starring role in the eagerly anticipated Prime Video series, Blade Runner 2099. The Euphoria actress joins Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, who has already been announced as part of the ensemble cast in an enigmatic role. Schafer's specific character remains a mystery for now, sparking further intrigue around the highly anticipated series.
Blade Runner 2099 promises to be a limited-run thriller helmed by showrunner Silka Luisa (Shining Girls) and executive produced by the legendary Ridley Scott, the director of the original Blade Runner. Jonathan van Tulleken (Shogun) will helm the first two episodes, setting the tone for what's sure to be a visually stunning and emotionally charged journey.
Schafer, a former model, made her acting debut on the groundbreaking HBO series Euphoria, portraying the transgender high school student Jules Vaughn. Her performance garnered widespread praise and since then, she has landed roles in high-profile projects such as the Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and the upcoming horror flick Cuckoo directed by Tilman Singer. She has also wrapped up filming on the A24 feature Mother Mary, opposite Anne Hathaway.
A long-time political activist, Schafer has been at the forefront of campaigns addressing LGBTQ+ issues, gaining national attention for her opposition to North Carolina's anti-trans legislation HB2, the controversial "bathroom bill," in 2016. More recently, in February, Schafer was arrested in New York City along with a group of Jewish Voice for Peace protesters who staged a protest aimed at disrupting President Joe Biden's appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The casting announcement comes amidst the delay in the production of Euphoria, as creator Sam Levinson works on revising the scripts for the third season. Earlier this week, another actor from the HBO series, Eric Dane, was also cast in Prime Video's Countdown. According to insiders, multiple factors are contributing to HBO's decision to postpone the production of the third season, notably the ongoing discussions between the network and Levinson about where the story will take place after the characters graduate from high school. Close sources to the series reveal that Levinson plans to introduce a time jump when the third season finally airs — ideally in 2025, but no longer guaranteed.
Blade Runner 2099 boasts an impressive list of executive producers including Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Ben Roberts, David W. Zucker, Clayton Krueger, Tom Spezialy, Richard Sharkey, Michael Green, Cynthia Yorkin, Frank Giustra, and Isa Dick Hackett. The series promises to be a thrilling and immersive addition to the Blade Runner franchise, with Schafer's addition sure to add another layer of depth and complexity to the already rich tapestry of characters.
