Chris Cooper is taking leave of the miniseries, Klondike. The Town actor has bowed out of Discovery’s first ever scripted programming endeavor due to an unnamed personal matter that has thrown the actor’s schedule for a loop. Although Cooper is staying mum about what is keeping him out of the miniseries, he did write a statement saying he had to make the decision he did “with regret,” which is probably no condolence to those producing the miniseries.
Cooper was initially set to play Father Judge in the miniseries, which will follow strangers braving the wilds of the northern Yukon and is based on a book called Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich In The Klondike by Charlotte Gray. Father Judge is described as a formerly violent man who has come to the Klondike hoping to bring religion to the area, as well as atone for the past he now has come to regret. According to Deadline, the role will now be recast. Don’t worry, the personal matter doesn’t seem like it will have long-term ramifications—Cooper is still set for his role in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Discovery’s miniseries will still sport an incredible cast, even without the presence of the Adaptation and American Beauty Oscar winner. In fact, Tim Roth is set take on a big role as the creepy and spooky “The Count” in the miniseries. Additionally, Tim Blake Nelson, Conor Leslie, Abbie Cornish, and Richard Madden are all signed on for Discovery’s first scripted endeavor. Even without Cooper, the production will hopefully be a huge ratings bringer for the cable network, à la History’s Hatfields & McCoys.
