BAFTA-winning actress joins star-studded revival of cult fantasy franchise
July 3, 2025 — Rising star Marisa Abela has officially joined the cast of the highly anticipated Highlander reboot, calling it “a real honour to step into such a legacy”.
The 28-year-old actress — who recently clinched a 2025 BAFTA TV Award for her breakout role in Industry — will star alongside Henry Cavill and Russell Crowe in the modern revival of the beloved 1986 fantasy classic.
“I’m looking forward to working with Henry and Russell on something this iconic,” Abela said of the project.
A Legendary Return
Directed by Chad Stahelski, the man behind the John Wick franchise, the new Highlander is being developed by Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists, with a full theatrical release planned.
Stahelski, 55, has described Highlander as “a project close to my heart”, and with production powerhouse Scott Stuber at the helm for UA, excitement is building for a revival that honors the original while reimagining it for a new generation.
From Cult Classic to Cinematic Comeback
The reboot draws from the 1986 original directed by Russell Mulcahy, which starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery as immortal warriors battling across centuries. The franchise later spawned several sequels and a long-running TV series, amassing a devoted cult following.
This new iteration will feature a screenplay by Michael Finch, with producers including Neal H. Moritz, Nick Nesbitt, Josh Davis, and Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment.
United Artists has also secured full rights to the original, sparking speculation that a new Highlandertelevision series could be on the horizon.
Marisa Abela’s Meteoric Rise
Abela has quickly become one of the UK’s most promising acting talents. Her critically acclaimed performance as Amy Winehouse in 2024’s Back to Black earned her a BAFTA EE Rising Star Award nomination, and she recently starred in Steven Soderbergh’s espionage thriller Black Bag alongside Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.
With Highlander, she now steps into a fantasy legacy rich with history — and plenty of sword-fighting mystique.
Though Amazon MGM Studios has not yet commented on the casting, fan anticipation is already surging, especially with Abela joining a cast led by the action-ready Henry Cavill and the always-commanding Russell Crowe.
One thing’s certain: There can be only one — and Marisa Abela might just be the franchise’s next immortal face.
