Yahoo Lifestyle Rahul Kohli Joins ‘Deepest, Darkest’ Horror Anthology From Marc Bernardin and Tiffany Smith (EXCLUSIVE)
The new horror and science fiction anthology, “Deepest, Darkest,” has added yet another cast mate to its already stellar lineup of genre heavyweights.
Rahul Kohli, a beloved member of Mike Flanagan’s Flanaverse (“The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “The Fall of the House of Usher”) and essential teammate in the crime-solving “iZombie” series, has officially joined the star-studded cast of “Deepest, Darkest,” a new horror anthology from writer and director Marc Bernardin and actor Tiffany Smith.
“‘Deepest Darkest’ is an exciting project combining all my favorite genres and my favorite people. Joining this project was a no-brainer for me,” says Kohli, expressing his enthusiasm early in the process to Variety.
Kohli joins the previously announced cast of Smith (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”), Rosario Dawson (“The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka”), Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters”), Yetide Badaki (“American Gods”), Phil LaMarr (“Futurama,” “Samurai Jack”) and “Quantum Leap” stars Raymond Lee and Caitlin Bassett.
To top off that impressive lineup, the genre showcase is executive-produced by Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” “Malignant”) and David Dastmalchian (“Late Night With the Devil,” “The Suicide Squad”).
“Deepest, Darkest” is co-created by Bernardin (who previously worked on “Star Trek: Picard” and “Castle Rock”) and Smith, and produced by Rachel Walker, Carrie Finn, and Kyle Smithers.
Bernardin, a WGA Award winner, will direct and made his directorial debut last year with the short film “Splinter.”
The anthology promises a genre-blending mix of horror, dark comedy, suspense, and sci-fi, with a pitch that reads: “Have you ever had a secret? One so big, so awful, so horrifically extreme that you had no choice but to keep it to yourself? Something that if anyone else knew, that revelation would shift your world on its axis? What if there was someone whose job it was to listen to those secrets — because she could never remember them? What would you pay for absolution?”
“Deepest, Darkest” will also bring together a team of renowned television writers to step behind the camera and explore stories of horror, suspense, dark comedy, and cutting-edge science fiction—all centered on the deeply human instinct to keep secrets. Writers such as LaToya Morgan (“The Walking Dead”), Deric A Hughes and Benjamin Raab (“The Flash”), Ubah Mohamed (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender”), Lamont Magee (“Black Lightning,” “Star Wars: The Young Jedi Adventures”), Sujata Day (“Insecure”), and Kevin Avery (“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”) will be directing, many for the first time. Writer-directors Avery and Day will also co-star in their segments.
The film is currently raising funds through a Kickstarter campaign, which has raised $128,000 toward its $250,000 goal. “Kickstarter is always a gamble,” says Bernardin. “But I believe there’s an audience out there that might embrace a collection of cinematic short stories that aim to thrill and scare and provoke while also celebrating voices who don’t often get to be at the center of narratives like this.”
With 713 backers so far, the campaign runs until Thursday, Sept. 26.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
