Vincent, a father overcome by grief after his son mysteriously disappears, discovers comfort in his bond with Eric, the enigmatic creature residing beneath Edgar’s bed. Here is everything we know about this new upcoming Netflix series so far.
Total episodes: 6
Format: Limited series
Language: English
Who is behind Netflix’s Eric limited series?
The series is helmed by Lucy Forbes, with the creative and writing prowess of BAFTA and Emmy-winner Abi Morgan OBE, known for her work on “River,” “Suffragette,” and “The Split.” Holly Pullinger, the producer of acclaimed productions like “This Is Going To Hurt” and “Don’t Forget The Driver,” is at the production helm. The executive team includes Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, BAFTA-winner Lucy Forbes, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
What is the plot of Netflix’s Eric limited series?
In the backdrop of 1980s New York, Abi Morgan’s “Eric” unfolds as an intense emotional thriller. The narrative follows Vincent, a prominent puppeteer and the mind behind the beloved children’s TV show, ‘Good Day Sunshine.’ When Vincent’s nine-year-old son, Edgar, mysteriously vanishes on his way to school, Vincent plunges into a desperate search. Overwhelmed by self-loathing and guilt, he clings to Edgar’s drawings of a blue monster puppet named ERIC, convinced that featuring ERIC on television will reunite him with his lost son. As Vincent’s distress escalates, ERIC becomes his sole ally amid alienation from family, colleagues, and the detectives aiding in the quest to bring Edgar home.
Who are the cast members of Eric?
Top cast
Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent Anderson
About the character
Vincent, a prominent puppet maker and puppeteer in New York, is the imaginative force behind the beloved children’s TV show, Good Day Sunshine. Despite his high intelligence and charismatic demeanor, Vincent grapples with narcissistic tendencies. Professionally volatile, he often neglects his wife, Cassie, and their young son, Edgar, in his private life.
Gaby Hoffmann as Cassie Anderson
About the character
Cassie, raised in privilege on an upstate New York farm, discovered love with Vincent during art college, only to confront the harsh realities of life. As a warm and nurturing mother to Edgar, Cassie grapples with Vincent’s womanizing tendencies and unpredictable behavior, growing weary of the challenges they bring to their relationship.
McKinley Belcher III as Detective Michael Ledroit
About the character
With two decades in the police service, mostly dedicated to VICE, Ledroit has emerged as a top detective in MISSING PERSONS, driven by a sense of duty to assist the overwhelmed division in locating missing individuals. Concealing his sexuality and committed relationship with William, Ledroit faces a pivotal decision when his hidden identity becomes a workplace challenge, forcing him to weigh the importance of protecting his secret against the urgency of solving a crucial case.
Dan Fogler plays Lennie Wilson
About the character
Lennie Wilson, Vincent’s closest friend and colleague, is a brilliant puppeteer and skilled maker in his own regard. Embracing a life of commitment to bachelorhood, Lennie forms a special connection with Edgar, who frequently visits the Good Day Sunshine workshop.
Clarke Peters plays George Lovett
About the character
George Lovett, the superintendent of Edgar’s apartment building, is a warm and friendly neighbor with few possessions that hold deep sentimental value. Estranged from his own children, George found solace in befriending Edgar, allowing him to play in his apartment during parental disputes.
Edgar Anderson – Ivan Howe
Phoebe Nicholls as Anne Anderson
About the character
Anne, an elegant yet fragile housewife to real estate mogul Robert Anderson, plays the role of mother to Vincent. Despite her graceful exterior, Vincent finds it challenging to connect with her. He has consciously crafted a life that stands in stark opposition to the aspirations and values held by Anne and Robert.
David Denman as Matteo Cripp
About the character
Captain Cripp, Ledroit’s astute boss and the station’s captain, maintains a strong mentor-like relationship with Ledroit. As Edgar’s case attracts media scrutiny and pressure from higher authorities, Ledroit suspects a connection to the disappearance of Marlon Rochelle, a 14-year-old from nearly a year ago. However, Cripp, eager to swiftly conclude the case, promptly discourages Ledroit from pursuing this lead, emphasizing the urgency of closure.
Bamar Kane as Yuusuf Egbe
About the character
Residing among the mole people beneath New York City in disused subways, Yuusuf Egbe is a graffiti artist who leaves his distinctive tag scattered across the city. To his surprise, his art catches the attention of a 9-year-old boy, an unexpected recognition for his work.
Adepero Oduye as Cecile Rochelle
About the character
Cecilie, an African American mother, continues to persevere in the search for her son Marlon, who vanished 11 months ago. Despite the limited assistance from the police in locating Marlon, Cecilie remains steadfast in her quest. Resigned to the possibility of his demise, she is determined to find closure and bring her son home.
Alexis Molnar as Raya
About the character
Raya, residing alongside Yuusuf beneath New York City in the company of the Mole People, is a street-savvy individual with a reliance on crack cocaine. Despite her resourcefulness in navigating the streets to secure her next fix, Raya often exposes herself and those around her to significant risks in the process.
Roberta Colindrez as Ronnie
About the character
Ronnie, a legendary puppeteer collaborating with Vincent and Lennie on Good Day Sunshine, stands as an enduring colleague. Impervious to Vincent’s charms, Ronnie holds a distinctive position, allowing her to call him out with her quick and sarcastic wit.
Filming locations: Budapest, Hungary
What’s the Netflix release date for Eric?
Originally anticipated for a 2023 release, the series may face delays as filming is scheduled to conclude in late May 2023. Consequently, the likelihood of it reaching Netflix by year-end seems optimistic, making an early 2024 release for Eric a more plausible expectation.
Creators thoughts
Abi Morgan, the creator, writer, and executive producer, expressed to Netflix the captivating nature of “Eric,” describing it as a dark and unconventional journey into 1980s New York. The narrative delves into the complex world of Vincent, a brilliant puppeteer on a prominent American children’s TV show, exploring the spectrum of good, bad, and ugly experiences. The opportunity to collaborate with Benedict, the creative team at Sister, and Netflix proved irresistible for Morgan. Under the directorial guidance of Lucy Forbes, she considers herself fortunate to contribute to an era marked by tremendous creativity in the industry. Morgan is hopeful that “Eric” will be warmly welcomed as a valuable addition.
Jane Featherstone and Lucy Dyke, the executive producers, expressed their excitement about Abi’s pitch for “ERIC,” noting that it resonated deeply, giving them goosebumps. They described the script as an extraordinary piece inspired by Abi’s experience in the mid-1980s New York—a city on the verge of change yet rotten to its core. Abi skillfully weaves a narrative that serves as both a tense thriller and an intimate portrayal of a delusional father in search of his child, haunted by a character named Eric. The involvement of multi-award-winning Benedict Cumberbatch as the lead and the direction by the talented Lucy Forbes further fueled their enthusiasm. Featherstone and Dyke anticipate “ERIC” to be a unique and special limited series, expressing their joy at collaborating once again with Abi, a long-time creative partner.
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