Laird: New Scotland-set drama series starring Kenneth Branagh filming in Aberdeen and Highlands
Laird is filming in Scotland at the moment, with parts of Aberdeen and Aldourie Castle near Loch Ness taken over by crews.
A new drama series starring Sir Kenneth Branagh has started filming in Scotland.
Titled Laird, the Paramount+ show follows the Laird of Castle Drummoch - played by Branagh, who also serves as an executive producer - as he fights to protect his family’s ancestral land from an American billionaire. The multi-award winning actor is the only cast member announced so far.
Film crews have been spotted around Aberdeen with locations including Nickel and Dime and Home Start on George Street and Denburn Car park closed to accommodate the shoot.
According to Aberdeen City Council the multi-storey car park will be open as normal over the weekend, but closed again on Monday, September 21.
As well as the Granite City, the show is also being filmed at Aldourie Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, which is owned by Scotland’s richest man Anders Povlsen. The Danish billionaire, who is also the country’s largest landowner, bought the property for £15 million in 2014.
Already, crew have been setting up equipment such as lighting rigs and cranes with some reports stating the location would be in use for around a month.
Aldourie Castle is thought to be starring in Laird as Castle Drummoch, and is set in a 500-acre private estate. Available to book for exclusive use, the castle can sleep up to 24 people across 12 en-suite bedrooms with the price including staff, daily housekeeping, chefs and more.
While there is no planned release date for Laird yet, here’s what we know so far.
What is Laird about?
Laird follows Branagh’s character, a proud Scot, who refuses to give up his family land to an American billionaire who is also attempting to acquire the surrounding glens. It also explores family feuds, buried secrets and romances which will shape the future of the family.
Jane Wiseman, the head of originals at Paramount+, said the show is about “one man standing his ground against unchecked wealth and power,” and fighting to protect what matters most.
Who is behind Laird?
Set to stream exclusively on Paramount+, Laird was created by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Georgia Lee, with Joe Wright tapped to direct the pilot episode. It is being produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios.
Jez Butterworth most recently created MobLand and The Agency for the streaming platform, and has written the screenplays for films including Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), and helped co-write Bond film Spectre (2015) and the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles project.
He shares several writing credits with his brother John-Henry Butterworth, whose past works also include Nine Perfect Strangers (2021). American screenwriter Georgia Lee also helped create the series, with past projects including shows such as The Expanse, The 100, Partner Track and Carnival Row.
BAFTA-winning filmmaker Joe Wright will direct the first episode of the series. He is known for directing projects such as 2005’s Pride and Prejudice, Atonement (2007), Anna Karenina (2012), Darkest Hour (2017) and more. He also directed two episodes of the Butterworth’s other Paramount+ series, The Agency in 2024.
Laird will be executive produced by Branagh, alongside David Glasser, Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Charles Finch and Keith Cox.
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Where else will Laird be filmed?
Laird is currently filming in Scotland with production expected to take place until February 2027. Other filming locations are expected to include London, a the series will also be shot in London with production due to take place until February 2027.
While unconfirmed to be related to Laird, the Casting Collective is also looking for extras to work on a “major production” filming across the Highlands, Aberdeen, Inverness, Argyll and Bute and the Isle of Skye from Autumn.
The casting call states: ”Whether you're a crofter, a commuter, a student, or a retiree — if you live in or around this part of Scotland, we want to hear from you.” No previous experience is required, with anyone “within easy reach” of these locations welcome to register.
This means that crews could soon arrive to film across the Isle of Mull, Skye and beyond.
Already this year, productions including The Buccaneers, The Batman: Part II and Dept. Q have been filmed in Scotland.
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