The full trailer for FX’s adaptation of “Under the Banner of Heaven” is here. You may have missed it during Sunday’s 94th annual Academy Awards because there were thinggggsss going on. It stars Academy Award nominee Andrew Garfield, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell, Rory Culkin, and Gil Burmingham.
The limited series is based on Jon Krakauer’s true-crime book that covers a murder in Salt Lake Valley, Utah in 1984. Edgar-Jones will play the victim, Brenda Wright Lafferty, a mother whose baby is also murdered. Garfield will be starring as police detective Jeb Pyle.
Been There, Done Black
For FX, “Under the Banner of Heaven” is being adapted by none other than Dustin Lance Black. He won an Academy Award for his “Milk” screenplay. Lance Black grew up surrounded by Mormon culture – which will play a large role in the story. This is far from the first time he has covered the subject. He narrated “8: The Mormon Proposition” and wrote several episodes of “Big Love”.
The book follows brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty who insisted that God commanded them to kill. It delves into isolated communities, religious extremism, and zealotry. The series looks like it will follow more of Jeb’s journey and own religious reckoning.
Garfield is fresh off of his nominated turn in “tick, tick… BOOM” and a role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (which netted co-star Jessica Chastain a best actress award). This feels more akin to his role in “Hacksaw Ridge” (for which he was also nominated) where he played a pacifist soldier in World War II having to reckon with his spirituality versus his role in war.
Given the bevy of talent behind the camera, and the entire cast involved we’re excited to see where the series goes. “Under the Banner of Heaven” will be seven episodes long and starts streaming April 28, 2022 on Hulu.
