Kenneth Branagh to star in Paramount+ series Laird

Paramount+ is developing a new drama series called Laird, featuring Kenneth Branagh as both star and executive producer. Set in the modern Scottish Highlands, the show follows the Laird of Castle Drummoch as he fights to protect his ancestral lands from a shadowy American billionaire determined to buy up the glens. The project is created by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Georgia Lee, with Joe Wright attached to direct the pilot and a production team including 101 Studios and Paramount Television Studios. Branagh’s involvement centers on a storyline about one man standing against unchecked wealth and power, with the series positioned as a gripping family saga of land, legacy, and conflict. The series is described as a distinct project from the Yellowstone universe, and multiple outlets have reported on its development and creative leadership.