EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Ludwig (Vikings) and Emma Roberts (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) have signed on to star in Hal, a feature drama inspired by the true story behind the founding of humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope.
Directed by Mark Williams (Ozark, The Accountant) and written by Mark Edwin Robinson, the Zero Gravity Management production follows Hal Donaldson, a journalist shaped by early hardship who believes his voice is his path forward. When he meets Doree, a gifted musician, their relationship becomes the foundation that steadies him as his career takes him to places marked by deep suffering.
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur. Confronted with the limits of telling stories alone, he is drawn toward a calling that requires more than words — setting in motion the events that lead to the creation of Convoy of Hope.
Since its founding in 1994, Convoy of Hope has delivered hundreds of millions of meals and provided clean water to millions of people. Operating in dozens of countries, they’re recognized for their large-scale disaster relief operations, long-term community development programs, and ability to mobilize public-private partnerships to reach people others cannot.
Production on Hal kicks off in Atlanta on February 9.
Known for roles in History/Prime Video’s Vikings and multiple installments in the Bad Boys franchise, Ludwig only a month ago landed a role in the France-set fourth season of HBO’s The White Lotus. Currently, the actor can be seen starring in the film Marked Men from Nick Cassavetes. His upcoming slate also includes Netflix’s Ted Kaczynski thriller Unabom, the horror-thriller Night Comes marking actor Jay Hernandez’s feature directorial debut, and the thriller Killing Castro with Al Pacino, among other projects. He is represented by Untitled Entertainment and Gersh.
Upcoming, Roberts will be seen in the 13th season of FX’s American Horror Story, psychological thriller The Technique, and the rom-com Marriage Material. Also a producer on the Hulu series Tell Me Lies, she is repped by Sweeney Entertainment and JR McGinnis.
One of the principals at Zero Gravity, Williams is known for co-creating Netflix’s Ozark with Bill Dubuque. As a director, his credits include A Family Man starring Gerard Butler, as well as the Liam Neeson flicks Honest Thief and Blacklight. On the production side, Zero Gravity is also known for projects like Beasts of No Nation and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.
Writer Robinson is repped by Zero Gravity Management and Surpin, Mayersohn & Coghill.