Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jimmy O. Yang join Oscar Isaac in series 'The Roman'
Washington DC, May 29
Actor Shalom Brune-Franklin and Jimmy O. Yang are the latest additions to the cast of 'The Roman,' Netflix's Las Vegas-set drama series starring Oscar Isaac, reported Variety.
According to the outlet, Brune-Franklin will play Jessica Christine "JC" Griffin, described as "an alert and ambitious rising star at the casino" and "a vital host and fixer, managing the whims of high rollers while harbouring her own big plans for the future."
Yang will play Rich Tzu, a sophisticated, Eton-educated executive who serves as a rival to Isaac's Bobby.
'The Roman' is an eight-episode, hour-long drama set in present-day Las Vegas, a modernised but still dangerous version of the Strip.
At the centre of it all is Robert 'Bobby Red' Redman (Isaac), the president of the hottest hotel casino in town. As his power is threatened, Bobby must make some long odds moves to secure his position and seize more control over Sin City.
Previously announced cast members include Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin and David Costabile. 'The Roman' is created by showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien, whose storytelling in Vegas dates back to 'Rounders' and 'Ocean's Thirteen.'
The duo also co-created 'Billions,' which ran on Showtime from 2016 to 2023.
JC Chandor is set to direct the first two episodes of the series. Martin Scorsese executive produces 'The Roman' for Sikelia Productions alongside Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn for Expanded Media, Paul Schiff, Beth Schacter and Isaac. Kerry Orent is a co-executive producer.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Another Netflix drama about casinos… yawn 🥱. The showrunners did Billions which was great, but India's OTT space is full of crime thrillers already. Why not set it in Macau or even Mumbai? Could be more refreshing.
Martin Scorsese executive producing? That alone makes this worth watching. The guy knows how to tell mob-adjacent stories. As an Indian, I'm curious how they'll handle the 'Eton-educated' Asian character—hope it avoids stereotypes.
Shalom Brune-Franklin is a great addition—she was fantastic in 'The Tourist'! 😊 And Jimmy O. Yang as a rival to Oscar Isaac sounds like a delicious clash. Can't wait to see some Indian representation in the writers' room though.
I'm just happy it's not another superhero show 😅. The team behind 'Rounders' knows gambling drama inside out. Hopefully, 'The Roman' brings back that gritty, character-driven feel instead of being a loud, CGI-heavy mess. Subscribed!
I'm skeptical about the 'Sin City' angle—India's own shows like 'Sacred Games' showed how dark and layered crime dramas can be. Hope this isn't just glamourising gambling without the consequences. But Alec Baldwin and Oscar Isaac are solid picks.
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