McAvoy, Eccleston, Wong Cast in Sky's 'Meantime'
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- James McAvoy leads the six-part Sky crime thriller "Meantime" as Felix McAveety, an addict suspected of murdering his best friend in a Glasgow park, in a role that requires him to navigate intoxication and paranoia while trying to clear his name
- Christopher Eccleston and Benedict Wong have been cast in undisclosed roles, with the announcement leaving their characters a mystery even as their names were used to sell the project
- Josette Simon plays a detective turned crime novelist enlisted by Felix, while Jamie Michie plays his chaotic friend, anchoring the supporting cast alongside Mark Bonnar, Shauna MacDonald, and Shirley Henderson
- Frankie Boyle authored the source novel and co-adapted it with Neil Webster, marking a dramatic tonal shift for the comedian known for provocative stand-up into a Glasgow noir crime story
- Jon S. Baird directs the series, produced by Happy Tramp North and Expectation (the companies behind "Alma's Not Normal" and "Malice") in association with Sky Studios
- McAvoy is credited as an executive producer alongside Boyle, Webster, Baird, and Sky's Alex Moody, giving the star meaningful creative control over his first major TV leading role in years
Why it matters: The casting gives Sky a prestige drama built on three actors with major genre fanbases (X-Men, Doctor Who, Marvel) anchored by a source novel from one of Britain's most polarizing comedians — an unusual creative pairing that positions the show as a potential flagship for the streamer's drama slate. McAvoy's dual role as star and executive producer also signals a more hands-on creative stake than a typical acting hire.
