FilmForce can exclusively report that the following actors have been cast in the forthcoming CBS miniseries Elvis. Cast as Vernon Presley, father of Elvis (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) and husband of Gladys (Camryn Manheim), is X-Files vet Robert Patrick.
Ironically enough, Patrick is playing the dad of Elvis' pal and Sun Records contemporary Johnny Cash in the Fox biopic Walk the Line. Patrick's other credits include Cop Land and Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Twenty-three-year-old British actress Antonia Bernath will play Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, the King's wife. The miniseries recounts Elvis' relationship with teenage Priscilla even as he fell for Hollywood starlet Ann-Margret (Rose McGowan).
Bernath appeared in the Bollywood period drama Kisna and has been cast in Living Neon Dreams opposite Marilyn Manson. According to this report, Bernath studied at the Old Vic Theatre School in London but dropped out to star in Kisna.
Also joining the miniseries is Tim Guinee who portrays the man who discovered Elvis, late Sun Records producer Sam Phillips. Guinee's credits include Ladder 49 (opposite Robert Patrick), Blade and John Carpenter's Vampires. He also starred in the short-lived TV series Strange World, and guest-starred on The Practice opposite Elvis co-star Manheim.
Elvis airs in two parts on May 8th and 11th on CBS. James Sadwith directs from a screenplay by Patrick Sheane Duncan. Randy Quaid co-stars as Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
CBS Miniseries Update
January 27, 2005 | People Source:IGN.comqueeniewahine2 wrote on
January 27, 2005
I don't like the way they asked for ETA's to come all the way to California for screenings and then pick a regular actor. Why did they not pick an ETA that carries on the music of Elvis, what do they think they do on stage? They put there heart and soul into what they do and fill the part more than some actor. Come on quys give ETA's the credit they are do.
barbieluvselvis wrote on
January 27, 2005
Because they want someone who can act to play the part of Elvis and I don't like either an actor or a wannabe impersonator because they don't do him justice and why do we need to see this crap again anyway we all know what happened.
pacer1965 wrote on
January 28, 2005
I hope its better than the last mini series they done. The actor who played Elvis in that was terrible
gribz wrote on
January 28, 2005
You're nuts pacer. If you're talking about Michael St Gerard, he was awesome as the young Elvis, and you are actually the first one I've heard complain about him in 14 years. I hope your thinking of someone else.
pacer1965 wrote on
January 28, 2005
Hi gribz no i am not talking about Michael St Gerard. I am talking about the other guy I cant remember his name but I think his first name was Dale. Maybe you can remember what it was. But I did not like him at all in that mini series
Viva wrote on
January 28, 2005
pacer1965: His name was Dale Midkif, and yes he was the worst actor ever to portray Elvis, I would personally like to kick him in the Queenie Wahine's for his performance. He obviously didn't like Elvis at all. I wish they wouldn't bother with these projects, you just know we'll end up with a joke.
Jazz wrote on
January 28, 2005
I am so exciting about this...the actor playing Elvis is a good actor, I hope he plays Elvis well...I hate the ones that over act.
Carol K. wrote on
January 28, 2005
Well, as an American, I don't understand why all these British actors are getting to star in the new Elvis mini-series. On our soap operas now here in America, we have many Australian accent actors, and I usually cannot understand what they are saying! I certainly hope that these British stars drop their British accents when they play Elvis and Priscilla! Please!
Teacher wrote on
January 28, 2005
I think it's safe to assume the casting call in LA was a publicity stunt. Michael St. Gerard left acting to become a minister. This mini series doesn't tell the whole Elvis story as it stops in 1968.
Viva wrote on
January 28, 2005
Well, it can't be any worse than hearing an American try to do an English accent. Have you heard Keanu Reeves in Dracula? sounds like he's got a mouth full of ulcers. But seriously, it does seem odd to have so many "foreigners" but then, you would like to think that they know what they're doing (unlikely, I know). Mind you, "Jolly good Priscilla, lets have a cup of tea with these uppers..ahh, splendid" does have a certain charm to it.
Lou A wrote on
January 29, 2005
While on the subject of Michael St. Gerard and the Elvis Television show from the early 90's, I wonder why this has never been released on home video. Now would be a nice time to release it. They could probably get all of the episodes on a two DVD set. I'd guess that a lot of fans would be interested in buying it.