It was officially announced late last year that a new HBO Max Constantine series from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot production company was in-development, and we know have an intriguing update courtesy of some new character breakdowns.
We already know that the Scouser occultist will be reimagined for this show, with "a BIPOC actor in their late 20s" being sought for the lead. Based on these descriptions, it sounds like Johnny boy will be joined by a few familiar faces.
PAUL: "Non-Binary, Trans Male, 40-59; A nightclub owner and trafficker based in Soho. Paul is wry and sceptical, a wheeler-dealer with a twinkle in his eye. A crude comparison might be Grace Jones meets Lando Calrissian. Paul is the survivor of a youth of hardship and excess, but he has risen to the top in his world...and is now struggling to stay there. Supporting role, multiple seasons. Ethnicity: Black / African Descent."
THE GURKHA: "Male, 30-49. a Nepalese man in his 30s-40s. An enigmatic and intimidating figure, a seemingly unstoppable yet shrewd killing machine. Less because of his stature than his look, which should send chills down our spines. Taciturn and physically capable, this is a very action/stunt-heavy role with limited dialogue. This role is ex-Gurkha. Professional acting experience is not essential but martial arts experience is a must. Ethnicity: Asian."
AKARA: "Female, 8-11. A 10-year-old girl of Cambodian heritage. The emotional heart of our story. Akara suffers from a bodily affliction that makes her at times grotesque and unusually strong -- potentially very dangerous. Her arc is not unlike that of someone who has a terminal illness. At times a victim and a scared young girl, Akara finds her strength along the journey and discovers an unshakeable will within her. Professional acting experience is not essential but the role is demanding so we are looking for someone really talented. We can consider children slightly younger or older if they look 10 years old and have that level of maturity. Must have a good level of English. This role will also speak Khmer. Ethnicity: Asian."
PICH: "Male, 60-70. A man of Cambodian heritage. Akara’s stoical grandfather. Racked by guilt due to his granddaughter’s inherited affliction, but covers it with a subtle warmth and dry sense of humor. A survivor of the Killing Fields, he’s been through horrors we can’t imagine. Though he doesn’t look it, he is at times stunningly strong despite his age. Professional acting experience is not essential. Must have a good level of English. This role will also speak Khmer. Ethnicity: Asian."
Since characters are usually given false names to conceal their identities, we're going to assume that Paul is either a take on Papa Midnite or Chas (possibly an amalgamation of both), while Akara sounds a lot like Astra Logue. The Gurkha, meanwhile, could be any number of powerful demons Constantine has faced over the years.
Guy Bolton (Croupier, The Big Fix) is writing the series, which will "follow a young man whose entire world is upended when a chance encounter with a young girl pulls him into the dark and treacherous world of the occult."