Exclusive: Marcia Gay Harden, David Thewlis & Cast Talk New Nat Geo Show ‘Barkskins’ [Video]

Barkskins, based on New York Times best selling 2016 novel by Annie Proulx, is set to premiere on NatGeo over Memorial Day weekend – specifically, May 25th. 

This 8 episode limited series has been adapted from the 700+ page novel of the same name and was produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and Scott Rudin Productions. Starring David Thewlis as Claude Trepagny and Oscar winner, Marcia Gay Harden as Mathilde Geffard, Barkskins is set in the late 1690s when colonizers from France embark on a new territory they name ‘New France’ which later develops into America. 

Murder, survival, complex relationships, and conquering the vast and unforgiving forest are major themes within this series as it follows the story of two immigrants, James Bloor as Charles Duquet and Christian Cooke as Rene Sel, while they navigate this brutal and primal world as newcomers. The cast also includes Aneurin Barnard, Thomas Wright, Kaniehtiio (Tiio) Horn, Zahn McClarnon, Tallulah Haddon, Lily Sullivan and David Wilmot who play characters trying to survive the harsh and cruel times against the indigenous peoples fighting to preserve their rightfully owned land as the settlers try to develop it as their new establishment. 

Showrunner, Elwood Reid, joins Garrett Basch, Eli Bush, and David Slade as Executive Producers on the project and talks about the importance of National Geographic backing them behind this fictional story.

“When I was first brought the project, I said to myself: ‘National Geographic’ ya know they don’t do fictional programs, right? But then I thought about it and here is this amazing book by this author, and there’s this opportunity to be the first,” said Reid. “And I have to say, National Geographic, every step of the way supported, this is a weird show, this is a crazy show, supported far more than other places I’ve worked at.”