Rachel Weisz to star in and executive produce "Dead Ringers" for Amazon Prime Video with Alice Birch set to write and showrun

The Series is Based on Iconic Cronenberg Thriller and is Produced by Amazon Studios and Annapurna Television

CULVER CITY, Calif. - August 18, 2020 - Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz is attached to star in the upcoming Amazon Original series Dead Ringers, marking Weisz's first television role. Amazon Studios and Annapurna Television are co-producing the series, inspired by the 1988 thriller. Alice Birch will write and executive produce. Dead Ringers will be available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

In a modern take on David Cronenberg's thriller starring Jeremy Irons, the series will feature Weisz playing the double lead role of the Mantle twins, who share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes, including pushing the boundaries on medical ethics in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women's healthcare to the forefront.

"As one of today's most accomplished and versatile actresses, Rachel Weisz will captivate the Amazon Prime Video global audience with her take on these two ruthless, twisted characters," said Albert Cheng, COO and Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios. "This update to Dead Ringers explores the darker side of medicine, obsession, and the human condition, making it a compelling addition to our slate of Amazon Original series."

"This series is a thrilling tale about ambition, self-interest, and the manipulation of power. Rachel's unequivocal depth as an actor make her the perfect person to bring the new Mantle twins to life in Alice's fresh take on the original, which will no doubt be even more twisted." Said Annapurna's Chief Content Officer, Sue Naegle.

"I am so lucky to have such brilliant partners in Annapurna and Amazon Studios, and I'm thrilled to be collaborating with the exceptionally talented Alice Birch. I can't wait to go on this journey with all of them," said Weisz.

Weisz, who starred in the Oscar-winning dramedy, The Favourite, which earned her second Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress and won the BAFTA for Best Film Actress in a Supporting Role, incubated the idea, bringing the project to Annapurna. She next appears opposite Scarlett Johansson in the upcoming Black Widow, her first Marvel film. Her acclaimed role in The Constant Gardener earned her the Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards.

Dead Ringers marks the first project for Birch following the success of Normal People, which earned rave reviews; Birch is currently nominated for an Emmy for outstanding writing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special for the series.

Dead Ringers is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Annapurna Television and is Executive Produced by Rachel Weisz, Stacy O'Neil, and Alice Birch, along with Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and Ali Krug for Annapurna Television, and James G. Robinson, David Robinson, and Barbara Wall for Morgan Creek.

About Amazon Studios:

Amazon Studios is the home for talent, creating and producing original films and television series for a global audience. Original series all premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which is available in over 200 countries and territories. Recent hit Amazon Original series include the Emmy Award-winning comedies Fleabag, created by and starring Emmy Award-winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel from Emmy Award-winners Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, as well as the action thriller drama Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski, the irreverent superhero series The Boys, Upload from Greg Daniels, Jordan Peele's Hunters starring Al Pacino and Logan Lerman; and fantasy drama Carnival Row starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne; Amazon Originals also include culturally relevant and buzzed about content such as Rihanna's Savage X Fenty music and fashion event, Donald Glover's Guava Island and Chasing Happiness, a documentary about pop superstars the Jonas Brothers.

In film, Amazon Studios produces and acquires original movies for theatrical release and exclusively for Amazon Prime Video. In 2017, Amazon Studios became the first streaming service to win Oscars for Manchester by the Sea and The Salesman. Amazon Studios' recent releases include Troop Zero starring Viola Davis, Alison Janney, and Jim Gaffigan; Tom Harper's The Aeronauts starring Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne; Scott Z. Burns' The Report starring Adam Driver and Annette Bening; Honey Boy from director Alma Har'el based on a script written by Shia LaBeouf; Benedict Andrews' Seberg starring Kristen Stewart; and the Academy Award nominated Les Misérables from director Ladj Ly.

About Annapurna

Annapurna, founded by Megan Ellison in 2011, focuses on creating sophisticated, high-quality content that is critically and commercially conscious while appealing to a diverse audience across film, television, theatre and interactive. By upholding the company's vision to put filmmakers and artists first and preserve their authentic creative voices no matter the genre or medium, the company has garnered a total of 55 Academy Award nominations, including five Best Picture nods for American Hustle, Her, Zero Dark Thirty, Phantom Thread and Vice. Most recently, Annapurna produced Olivia Wilde's feature directorial debut, Booksmart starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. On the television side, the company is behind the recently released HBO limited series The Plot Against America from David Simon and Ed Burns. Upcoming Annapurna TV projects include the limited series adaptation of Celeste Ng's New York Times Bestselling debut novel, Everything I Never Told You, Monsterland for Hulu, Staircase, starring Harrison Ford for HBO Max and Vanessa Bayer's Showtime Pilot Big Deal, which stars Bayer opposite SNL alum, Molly Shannon. Annapurna Theatre produced the New York premiere, West End production and NT Live broadcast of Fleabag. Broadway credits include the revival of Marianne Elliott's production of Company, The Lehman Trilogy, Betrayal starring Tom Hiddleston, David Byrne's American Utopia and Network starring Tony winner Bryan Cranston.