Key Takeaways
- Prime Video has secured the streaming rights to the six‑part action‑thriller series Embassy in the UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand.
- Production is underway, with filming already begun in Cologne and London.
- The series stars Anna Kendrick as U.S. diplomat Layla, Sam Heughan as her ex‑fiancé Connor Wright, and J.K. Simmons as the U.S. Ambassador.
- An expanded cast includes Aleksandar Jovanovic, Lydia Leonard, Mitya Savelau, Hasan Akil, James Murray, Luke Treadaway, Stephen Odubola, Katie McGrath, Alexander Karim and Natalie Mendoza.
- Created by writer Rom Lotan, the show is directed by John Strickland and Christian Alvart, with executive producers from AGC Television, Ascendant Fox and Turbine Studios.
- The acquisition follows Amazon’s recent hire of former Apple TV commissioner Oliver Jones as Senior Commissioner for UK Scripted, signaling a stronger push for original UK content.
Prime Video has swooped in to acquire the international streaming rights for Embassy, a six‑part action‑thriller series headlined by Anna Kendrick, Sam Heughan and J.K. Simmons. The deal covers the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand, with the series slated for release next year. The rights were secured by Hannah Blyth of Prime Video’s UK acquisitions team, after AGC International shopped the project globally. AGC Television, together with partners Ascendant Fox and Turbine Studios, is producing the show, which is being co‑financed by AGC and BondIt Media Capital.
Production is already underway, with principal photography having kicked off in both Cologne and London. The international shoot reflects the series’ globe‑spanning premise, which centers on a crisis erupting inside the U.S. Embassy in London. The cast announcement that accompanied the shooting news added a substantive roster of talent to the already‑high‑profile leads. Aleksandar Jovanovic (The Gold, Souls), Lydia Leonard (Gentleman Jack, Wolf Hall), Mitya Savelau (3 Body Problem, The Crown), Hasan Akil (Memory Box, A Sad and Beautiful World), James Murray (Masters of the Air, The Crown), Luke Treadaway (Unbroken, The Serial Killer’s Wife), Stephen Odubola (Boiling Point, Blue Story), Katie McGrath (The Ex‑Wife, Supergirl), Alexander Karim (Gladiator 2, Swarm) and Natalie Mendoza (Jack Ryan, Ánnette) have all joined the ensemble, bringing a mix of European and UK‑based actors to the production.
At its core, Embassy follows Layla (Anna Kendrick), a sharp and resourceful American diplomat stationed in London. When armed mercenaries storm the U.S. Embassy, Layla is thrust into an impossible dilemma: she must either protect the U.S. Ambassador (J.K. Simmons) or obey his orders to exfiltrate a high‑value asset. With time running out before a planned extraction, she is forced to rely on her instincts and the reluctant assistance of her battle‑hardened ex‑fiancé, Connor Wright (Sam Heughan). The tense, clock‑ticking scenario promises high‑octane action, political intrigue and personal stakes, positioning the series as a timely geopolitical thriller.
Behind the camera, the series is the brainchild of writer and creator Rom Lotan. John Strickland and Christian Alvart share directing duties, while a robust team of executive producers oversees the project. From AGC Television, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz and Miguel A. Palos Jr. lend their expertise; Ascendant Fox contributes Hester Ruoff, Bart Ruspoli and Matt Mitchell; Turbine Studios brings Daniel Hetzer, Jakob Neuhausser, Justin Thomson and David Tanner to the table. This collaborative structure aims to blend AGC’s international distribution strength with the genre‑savvy sensibilities of Ascendant Fox and Turbine.
The announcement of Prime Video’s acquisition comes just hours after Amazon revealed a significant personnel move: former Apple TV commissioner Oliver Jones has been hired as Senior Commissioner for UK Scripted. Jones will relocate from Los Angeles to London in May and will work closely with Nicole Clemens, VP of International Originals. His appointment underscores Amazon’s commitment to bolstering its UK originals slate, and the Embassy deal fits neatly into that strategy—securing a high‑profile, internationally appealing series while strengthening Amazon’s in‑house UK commissioning capabilities.
In sum, Embassy represents a noteworthy addition to Prime Video’s growing library of international acquisitions. With a star‑studded cast, a timely premise rooted in embassy‑security tension, and a seasoned creative team behind it, the series is poised to attract viewers across the six secured territories. The concurrent hiring of Oliver Jones further signals Amazon’s intent to deepen its investment in UK‑focused scripted content, setting the stage for more high‑value productions like Embassy to find a home on Prime Video in the near future.