Australian actress Markella Kavenagh (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) has been cast in New Regency’s upcoming suspense thriller Watch Dogs, based on Ubisoft’s bestselling video game franchise.
She will star alongside Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) and Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me). Production for the film wrapped over the summer, though details about Kavenagh’s role remain under wraps.
“So grateful to be a part of this project with such a lovelyyyy group of people :)),” Kavenagh posted on Instagram.
While specifics of the plot have yet to be revealed, the film will feature an original story set within the universe of the Watch Dogs video games. French director Mathieu Turi (The Deep Dark) helmed the project, working from a script by Victoria Bata, based on a story by Christie LeBlanc. The film was produced by New Regency’s Chairman and CEO Yariv Milchan, President of Motion Pictures and Television Natalie Lehmann, and Margaret Boykin, Head of Content at Ubisoft Film & Television.
The Watch Dogs franchise first launched in 2014, drawing players into an action-adventure world where skilled hackers use technology to challenge oppressive forces controlling major cities. Set in near-future versions of cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and London, the games revolve around a fictional surveillance system called ctOS (Central Operating System), which allows players to manipulate everything from traffic lights to security cameras. The lead character, Aiden Pearce, uses this technology to complete missions, gather information, and evade law enforcement. The game series has since garnered over 50 million players worldwide, expanding with sequels Watch Dogs 2 in 2016 and Watch Dogs: Legion in 2020, along with books and comics.
Kavenagh, best known for her portrayal of Harfoot Nori Brandyfoot in Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has built an impressive career since her screen debut in Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock alongside Natalie Dormer. Her television credits also include The Cry, Romper Stomper, The Gloaming, and Bad Behaviour. In film, she’s appeared in Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang and Katie Found’s My First Summer.
Represented by Curtis Brown Group, Shanahan Management, UTA, and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis, Kavenagh continues to rise as a prominent talent in both film and television. Fans of the Watch Dogs franchise and her work can expect more updates as the film progresses toward its release.
Deadline first reported on Markella Kavenagh’s casting.
