Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of The Umbrella Academy has added The Big Short star John Magaro in a key role.
The drama is based on the acclaimed Dark Horse comic book series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba, which follows the estranged members of a dysfunctional family of superheroes — Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Séance, Number Five, The Horror and The White Violin — as they work together to solve their father’s mysterious death while coming apart at the seams due to their divergent personalities and abilities.
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According to Deadline, Magaro will play Leonard Peabody, a potential love interest for Vanya Hargreeves, portrayed by Ellen Page. His character is described as an “average Joe” who crosses paths with Vanya while taking music lessons from her. Apparently seeing something that no one else can in the shy wallflower, Leonard will help her come out of her shell as the love story plays out across the 10-episode first season.
Magaro joins a cast that includes Page, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman, David Castaneda, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Cameron Britton, May J. Blige, Colm Feore, Adam Godley and Ashley Madekwe.
Apart from his role in David Chase’s Not Fade Away, Magaro is known for playing Charlie Geller in the 2015 comedy-drama The Big Short. He has also appeared in War Machine, My Soul to Take and Orange Is the New Black.
The Umbrella Academy is filming in Ohio ahead of its expected release later this year on Netflix.