Cult action show Strike Back has won many fans over the years with its intense set-pieces and in-your-face testosterone-filled story-lines. Over the years its acting line-up may have changed but early versions boasted the likes of a pre-Walking Dead Andrew Lincoln and a pre-Hobbit Richard Armitage and Rhona Mitra (Tomb Raider, The Last Ship). It may be entering its final season soon, but it will be going out in style with returning faces and some major cinematic casting.
Sky have announced that alongside the likes of Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of an Empire), Philip Winchester (24: Live Another Day, Camelot), Robson Green (Soldier, Soldier, Mount Pleasant), Milauna Jackson (Squad 85) and Michelle Lukes (Doctors, Alexander), the fifth and final run of the show will feature Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Michelle Yeoh (who has also been filming Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel 'The Green Destiny' with producer Bey Logan this summer) in her first ever television role. Also joining the cast will be Max Beesley (Mad Dogs) and Tim McInnerny (Blackadder, Spooks, Notting Hill) and Adrian Paul (Highlander).
In the ten-episode season, co-produced by HBO/Cinemax and currently filming in Hungary for broadcast next year,Yeoh will play the wife of the British Ambassador to Thailand (McInnerny) with Beesley starring as an ex-pat gangster.
“I’m delighted to be joining the cast of Strike Back and incredibly excited to be working with Sky and Left Bank. As an actor, it's always challenging to try new things. She is a fascinating character and I can’t wait to play her," Yeoh said in a statement.
Cameron Roach, Acting Head of Drama for Sky, revealed the line-up today and said... “It’s fantastic to have Michelle and Max join the cast of Strike Back for its final season, which will be its biggest ever. Strike Back is the perfect show for Sky 1, its fast paced, quick witted and energetic. We’re privileged to work with Michelle in her first ever television role and it’s always a pleasure working with Max who is returning to the channel after the huge success of Mad Dogs.”
Other actors lined up to appear in guest roles are also impressive and include the likes of Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones), Dustin Clare (Spartacus), Will Yun Lee (The Wolverine), James Wilby (Gosford Park), Joseph Gatt (Game of Thrones, Banshee), Christian Antidormi (Spartacus: War of the Damned), British mixed martial arts champion and UFC fighter Michael Bisping, Leo Gregory (Top Dog, Tristan and Isolde), Mark Griffin (Doctor Who) and Masa Yamaguchi (The Wolverine).
