strike back season five

After ending its four season run on Cinemax in the Summer of 2015, my guess was as good as anyone else’s on what would become of the hit Cinemax/Sky series, Strike Back, if anything. Actors Sullivan Stapleton and Phillip Winchester led the show in its evolution as one of the most widely received military spy dramas to date and with uncertainty in the midst late last year, news broke last December of the show’s reboot with a fresh new cast roster, character breakdowns and possible story details.

That reboot is officially taking shape as of the last several days and with Wednesday marking the first photo reveal of all four new Section 20 agents: Warren Brown (“Luther,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) as “Mac” McAllister, Daniel MacPherson (“Infini”) as Samuel Wyatt, Roxanne McKee (“Game of Thrones,” “Crossfire”) as Natalie Reynolds and Alin Sumarwata (“Burning Man”) as Gracie Novinas. Also joining the cast for production in Jordan and Hungary are actresses Nina Sosanya (“David Brent: Life on the Road,” “Love Actually”) as Adeena Donovan, Katherine Kelly (“The Night Manager,” “Happy Valley”) as Jane Lowry and actor Trevor Eve 66 as Morgan Ives.

From L to R: Daniel MacPherson, Roxanne McKee, Warren Brown and Alin Sumarwata

Disavowed and disbanded, the Section program is restored in order to track down a notorious terrorist following a brutal prison break. Tasked with covert military intelligence and high-risk operations, the resurrected unit embarks on a lethal manhunt that will uncover a vast web of interconnected criminal activity. As the team journeys across the Middle East and Europe, they uncover a deadly conspiracy that threatens to overwhelm them all and change the face of modern warfare forever.

Per the press release unveiled on Wednesday, the cast will also be doing most of its own stunts. In addition, the show’s confidential military consultants have also returned to aid the show’s progress and authenticity in all the essential aspects of counterterrorism, espionage and Black Ops.

“STRIKE BACK has been critical to defining CINEMAX as a destination for adrenalized, combat-based dramas with spectacular production values,” notes Kary Antholis, president of CINEMAX. “This rebirth of the series will undoubtedly satisfy the show’s loyal fans, and our new ensemble cast promises to attract a new generation to the show.”

“We are so thrilled to be welcoming a new cast to Section 20 and the four actors are a fantastic addition to the STRIKE BACK family,” says Sharon Hughff, executive producer for Left Bank Pictures. “The STRIKE BACK series is still going strong and we can’t wait to see this new season on screen with the intensity and high action that fans have come to expect from the show!”

Strike Back was hailed in 2015 by Forbes as “one of the best shows on television.” with TV Guide hailing it as “TV’s most explosive action series”. The A.V. Club praised its aptitude to deliver “the thrills of an action movie blockbuster on the small screen.” This new season also marks Sky’s sixth installment in the Strike Back franchise with Cinemax airing Sky’s first season of the series as Strike Back: Origins back in 2013.

Strike Back hails from Cinemax in association with Sky whose Cameron Roach is executive producing the series with Left Bank Pictures’s Andy Harries and with Sharon Hughff. Director/Executive Producer Michael Bassett and Showrunner/Writer Jack Lothian are also returning with the latter executive producing and Pete Coogan joining as production executive. Bill Shephard is the series producer with Nuala O’Leary and Lawrence Cochran producing.

   

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