Irish actor Diarmaid Murtagh is the lead in British period thriller ‘The Mad Axman’, which is currently shooting in London.
Produced by Boudica Films and directed by Will Kerley, the film, which is based on a true story, also stars Morgan Watkins (‘The Hour’, ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’) and Elen Rhys (‘The Bastard Executioner’).
According to Variety, Murtagh plays Frank Mitchell aka The Mad Axman, who is sprung from Dartmoor Prison in 1966 by the Kray twins only to be holed up in a safe house in the company of a minder (Watkins) and a hostess (Rhys) as a nationwide man hunt ensues.
As the days draw closer to Christmas and as Mitchell waits to hear from the Krays and the Home Secretary, the politician in charge of justice, regarding his parole date; tensions rise with the minder and hostess desperate to keep the Axman from breaking cover.
Murtagh has previously starred in big budget films such as ‘Monuments Men’ and ‘Dracula Untold’, as well as starring in television shows ‘Sons of Liberty’ and Vikings’, which is shot in Ireland. He has also previously worked on the mini-series ‘Quirke’ alongside Gabriel Byrne and Aisling Franciosi.
He was also cast in action-thriller film ‘The Lake’, alongside Oscar winner JK Simmons, with Murtagh’s described as one of the four leads in the film.