Paramount+ has confirmed a new Scottish series, Laird, set in the modern Scottish Highlands. The show revolves around a "proud Scot" who goes head-to-head against a "shadowy American billionaire hellbent on buying up the glens."
Starring Kenneth Branagh
Award-winning actor Kenneth Branagh, known for films such as Dunkirk, Belfast, and Oppenheimer, will play the Laird of Castle Drummoch, a role described as "determined to protect his ancestral lands from oligarchical land grabbing." Branagh will also serve as an executive producer on the series.
Creative Team
Laird is created by John-Henry Butterworth (Nine Perfect Strangers), Georgia Lee (The 100), and Jezz Butterworth (Mobland). Joe Wright, director of Darkest Hour, will direct the pilot episode.
Matt Thunell, President at Paramount Television Studios, said: "Jez, John-Henry, and Georgia have imagined a gripping drama that explores how far one family will go to protect their land and legacy. With Kenneth Branagh starring and Joe Wright directing, this is a singular creative team, and we are thrilled to once again partner with 101 Studios to bring this series to Paramount+."
Not a Yellowstone Prequel
Despite initial speculation, Laird is not part of the Yellowstone universe created by Taylor Sheridan. It is an entirely separate show, though another Yellowstone prequel titled 1944 has been previously announced by Paramount+.
Laird will be available to watch on Paramount+. Outlander fans, in particular, may enjoy this new series, as the Scottish fantasy period drama concluded in May 2026.
