- By Srishti Pandey
- Sat, 20 Jul 2024 04:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shabana Azmi played a crucial role in the popular military science fiction series Halo, which has been cancelled after its first two seasons. Despite the show's success, Paramount+ decided not to proceed with a third season. The show's co-producers, Xbox, Amblin TV and 343 Industries, are now seeking other platforms to continue the series.
Paramount+ released a statement expressing pride in the series and gratitude towards the show's partners and crew. The statement read: “We are extremely proud of this ambitious series and would like to thank our partners at Xbox, 343 Industries, and Amblin Television, along with showrunner and executive producer David Wiener, his fellow executive producers, the entire cast led by Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief and the amazing crew for all their outstanding work. We wish everyone the best going forward.”
343 Industries also shared a message of appreciation for the fans: “We deeply appreciate the millions of fans who propelled the ‘Halo’ series to be a global success, and we remain committed to broadening the 'Halo’ universe in different ways in the future. We are grateful to Amblin and Paramount for their partnership in bringing our expansive sci-fi universe to viewers around the world.”
In an interview with Variety, Shabana Azmi praised Halo for its inclusive casting. She highlighted how Asian actors have long struggled for colour-blind casting and Halo set a commendable example. “Asian actors have been saying that they really were struggling for color blind casting, because they were saying why should the Caucasian be recognized as the mainstream? And why if Laurence Olivier can play Othello, then why can an Asian actor not do it?” Azmi explained. “And now when I do ‘Halo,’ I realize that they have really got colour-blind casting, because in spite of the fact that I play Margaret Parangosky, I have not been asked to change my accent, the colour of my eyes is exactly the same, they did not colour my hair.”
The series starred Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief John-117, a genetically enhanced super-soldier part of an elite group known as the Spartans. Shabana Azmi portrayed Admiral Margaret Parangosky. The cast also included Natascha McElhone, Jen Taylor, Bokeem Woodbine, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, Charlie Murphy and Danny Sapani.
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Originally conceptualised as a film in 2005 by Neill Blomkamp, Halo eventually premiered as a series on Paramount+ in 2022. Set in the 26th century, the series focused on the conflict between humanity and an alien group called the Covenant. The series had strong backing from Steven Spielberg, whose Amblin TV was one of the production companies involved.