Inside 'The Assassin': Family Drama Meets High-Octane Action
When big-budget thrillers meet family drama, you usually get something slick and entertaining. But The Assassin, hitting Prime Video this July, isn’t settling for just explosions and chase scenes. The series hooks you with the promise of real emotional stakes, set against a sun-drenched Greek backdrop — and, according to the cast, shooting it was every bit as intense as the story itself.
Keeley Hawes takes the lead as Julie, a retired hitwoman who’s tried (and mostly failed) to ditch her violent past. Hawes is joined by Freddie Highmore, playing Edward — her estranged son, who’s been out of her life for years. Their tense reunion on a picturesque Greek island doesn’t stay peaceful for long. Old wounds open up, secrets tumble out, and soon the strange peace of their broken relationship explodes into all-out action that sprawls across European cities.
But it’s not just stunning locations and fast-paced intrigue that make The Assassin so interesting. The chemistry between Hawes and Highmore, both on and off camera, gives the show its edge. Both had a hand in shaping the series as executive producers, focusing on making their mother-son dynamic believable. Hawes even threw herself into unexpected stunt work, diving headfirst into physical scenes as early as episode two. She’s said to surprise not just the audience but the crew, jumping into action sequences that had everyone watching.
- Shalom Brune-Franklin plays Kayla, Edward’s adventurous girlfriend, bringing brains and a fierce sense of loyalty to the dangerous mix.
- Devon Terrell, as Kayla’s brother Ezra, brings sharp wit and emotional depth — a sibling bond that feels genuinely lived in, thanks to real friendship on set.
- Alan Dale, Gina Gershon, Jack Davenport, and Gerald Kyd round out the cast, providing new layers of mystery and family baggage.
If you think filming against a Mediterranean vista sounds idyllic, the cast has some stories to set you straight. Shooting on a Greek island during 40°C heatwave days, everyone found their own tricks to stay cool — Coke was reportedly as important as sunscreen, given the swelter. Between takes, cast members banded together for comic relief and support, especially during the most intense scenes. Shalom Brune-Franklin and Devon Terrell leaned on each other to keep the energy light, keeping their lineup of laughs going even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
Why 'The Assassin' Offers More Than Your Standard Spy Series
What really sets this show apart is the steady balance between rapid storytelling and vulnerable family moments. The writers give space for characters to battle through shame, old pain, and sometimes awkward reconciliation, all while bullets fly and secrets unravel. Hawes and Highmore’s mother-son dynamic isn’t just window dressing; the series leans hard into themes of trust, betrayal, and grief, layering in genuine moments of humor and warmth among the chaos.
With every high-speed chase and close-call, you never quite forget that these are people scared of letting each other down. Even the supporting cast, like Alan Dale’s imposing family patriarch and Gina Gershon’s no-nonsense presence, punch up scenes with clever dialogue and unpredictable energy.
The Assassin delivers all the suspense and spectacle you want from an action thriller, but it never loses sight of what’s at stake in its characters’ hearts. Whether you’re in it for the family fireworks, the globe-trotting adventure, or just to see Keeley Hawes flip a guy over a table, this series promises something sharp, stylish, and unexpectedly sweet.
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