The BBC has officially announced the cast for its upcoming prequel to the acclaimed series *Killing Eve*, titled *Honey*. While the network has not explicitly confirmed that *Honey* is a direct predecessor to *Killing Eve*, the details reveal connections to the original show that fans will likely appreciate.
Leading the cast is Ann Skelly, known for her role in *House of Guinness*, who will portray Martha Schmitt, a deep cover agent for MI6. Schmitt operates in a high-stakes environment where her identity is constantly at risk, particularly from Friedrich, the newly appointed Stasi Head of Counterespionage, played by Jannis Niewöhner, whose credits include *Munich: The Edge of War* and *Napoleon*.
Joining Skelly and Niewöhner are Nate Mann, recognized for his work in *Masters of the Air* and *Licorice Pizza*, as Kurt Fischer, and Rory Kinnear, noted for roles in *The Diplomat* and *The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power*, as Graham Anderson.
In addition to the principal cast, *Honey* features a diverse ensemble, including Oliver Cudbill as Stefan Weiss, Sonita Henry as Anne Anderson, and Victoria Mayer as Ingrid Schimmel. Other notable cast members include Valentino Dalle Mura as Rolf Muller, July Namir as Kamilla Akhmedova, Julian Niedermeier as Otto Kowalski, Sofia Oxenham as Greta Abstreiter, and Daniel Zielinski as Tomas Klein.
Production Details and Background
*Honey* marks a significant collaboration between the BBC and the German network ZDF, stemming from their co-production partnership. The series is created by Sid Gentle Films, the production company behind *Killing Eve*, with Emma Moran serving as the lead writer and executive producer. Moran’s previous work has garnered attention, and her involvement adds to the anticipation surrounding the prequel.
The character of Martha Schmitt is revealed to be a younger version of Carolyn Martens, a role famously portrayed by Fiona Shaw in *Killing Eve*. The BBC’s decision to cast the up-and-coming Ann Skelly in this pivotal role has generated excitement among fans. Although the character was briefly depicted in *Killing Eve* by actor Imogen Daines, Skelly’s portrayal is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the narrative.
Anticipation for Release
Scheduled for release in 2026, *Honey* is set to be one of the BBC’s major launches of the year. The network has not commented on the show’s relationship to *Killing Eve*, but the connections are evident and have sparked considerable interest. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Frank Seyberth, Head of Coproduction for ZDF, have been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.
Toby MacDonald directs the first three episodes, while Michelle Savill will take the helm for episodes four to six. The series will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with global distribution handled by Fifth Season.
As anticipation builds, *Honey* aims to captivate audiences with its intriguing storyline and talented cast, promising a compelling addition to the *Killing Eve* universe.
