DISNEY+ ANNOUNCE CASTING AS FILMING BEGINS ON UK ORIGINAL LIVE-ACTION DRAMA SERIES "NAUTILUS"

Shazad Latif, Georgia Flood, Thierry Frémont and more star in "Nautilus" Directed by Michael Matthews for Disney+

LONDON, UK (17 February) The Walt Disney Company EMEA today announces that production on its brand new live-action drama series "Nautilus", from Moonriver TV and Seven Stories, is underway at Village Roadshow Studios in Queensland, Australia.

For the first time ever, "Nautilus" tells Jules Verne's epic story from Captain Nemo's point of view: an Indian Prince robbed of his birth right and family, a prisoner of the East India Mercantile Company and a man bent on revenge against the forces that have taken everything from him. But once Nemo sets sail with his ragtag crew on board the awe-inspiring Nautilus, he not only battles with his enemy, but discovers a wondrous underwater world, learns to take his place as leader of the crew, and goes on an unforgettable adventure beneath the sea.

Originally announced last year as one of the first UK original series on Disney+ commissioned under the Disney brand, the main cast has also now been confirmed.

Joining the previously announced Shazad Latif ("Star Trek: Discovery", "The Pursuit of Love"), who will play the iconic role of Captain Nemo, are Georgia Flood ("Anzac Girls") who plays Humility Lucas, a privileged daughter of the British Empire who is taken hostage on board the Nautilus, and Thierry Frémont ("Allied") as Gustave Benoit, a French engineer and architect of the submarine.

Appearing alongside Shazad Latif as Nemo's fellow prisoners-turned-Nautilus-crew are Pacharo Mzembe as Boniface, a trader from Zanzibar; Arlo Green as Turan, a poet from the Middle East; Tyrone Ngatai as Kai, a Māori with a gentle heart; Ling Cooper Tang as Suyin, a mother separated from her children by the East India Mercantile Company; Andrew Shaw as Jiacomo, a man of mysterious origins who speaks in a language no one can understand; Ashan Kumar as Ranbir, a young and impressionable dreamer; Chum Ehelepola as Jagadish, a would-be social reformer and rabble-rouser; Céline Menville as Loti, Humility's world-weary minder; and newcomer Kayden Price as Blaster, a young boy desperately in search of a family of his own.

Hot on the heels of the Nautilus is the East India Mercantile Company, who will stop at nothing to capture their precious submarine. Among them is ruthless Director Crawley, played by Damien Garvey ("Jack Irish").

Produced jointly by two British companies, Moonriver TV and Seven Stories, the series is based on Jules Verne's classic novel "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea". This epic ten-part live-action adventure series tells the origin story of Verne's most iconic character, Captain Nemo, and his legendary submarine, the Nautilus.

Developed and co-produced by Moonriver TV's Xavier Marchand and Seven Stories Anand Tucker, Nautilus is written and executive produced by James Dormer (Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands) and is executive produced by Johanna Devereaux and Chris Loveall for Disney+. Cameron Welsh ("Foundation") is producing the series, and Michael Matthews ("Love and Monsters", "Five Fingers From Marseilles") will direct this epic Disney+ adventure series.

Disney+ will be creating 60 local productions by 2024 as it continues to work with outstanding creators and premium producers as part of the company's commitment to source, develop and produce original productions in Europe.

ENDS

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Nautilus

· Nautilus acknowledges the support from the Australian Government's Location Incentive, and from the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy

· Scripted action-adventure series. 10 episodes / 50 minutes. James Dormer / Seven Stories / Moonriver TV

· The ten-part epic live-action series tells the never before told origin story of Jules Verne's most iconic character, Captain Nemo, and his legendary submarine, The Nautilus

About Disney+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the new general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ is part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment. The service offers commercial-free streaming alongside an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney's long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. And through Star, it offers the latest from 20th Century Studios, Disney Television Studios, FX, Searchlight Pictures, and more. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

About Seven Stories

Seven Stories was set up by award winning writer-directors Anand Tucker and Sharon Maguire, and executive producer Colleen Woodcock to make high end drama series for the global market. Backed by ALL3Media and with Stephen Lambert as its chairman. The company also announced this summer it is set to make Peter Staughan and Thomas Alfredson's EUROPA jointly with StudioCanal.

About Moonriver TV

Moonriver TV is an independent London-based production company dedicated to producing prestigious, ambitious television productions with global appeal. Moonriver works with a diverse mix of experienced creators and exciting new voices to bring original and extraordinary stories to the screen. The company is currently developing projects with a number of studios and SVOD platforms.