Martin Scorsese’s What Happens at Night continues to expand its ensemble as Jared Harris has officially joined the cast ahead of filming in Prague, which is expected to begin in the coming days.
The casting was confirmed Tuesday by Deadline, adding another veteran performer to a lineup already led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, with Patricia Clarkson and Mads Mikkelsen also on board. The Apple Original Films production, made in partnership with Studiocanal, has been in active pre-production in the Czech capital following Scorsese’s arrival earlier this month.
The Prague Reporter previously reported that location shoots are scheduled in Prague’s city center in late February and mid-March. The project is registered with the Czech Audiovisual Fund, signaling full production activity in the country as the shoot moves into its principal photography phase.
Harris joins expanding ensemble
Based on Peter Cameron’s novel and adapted for the screen by Patrick Marber, What Happens at Night follows an American couple who travel to a small, snowy European town to adopt a child, only to find themselves isolated in a vast, enigmatic hotel populated by unsettling figures.
While Harris’ role has not yet been disclosed, his addition further strengthens an ensemble that now includes multiple Academy Award winners and nominees. The film marks the latest collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio following Killers of the Flower Moon, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Shutter Island, and will be their seventh feature together. Lawrence stars opposite DiCaprio in her first on-screen collaboration with Scorsese, though he recently produced her film Die My Love.
Mikkelsen, recently confirmed to play the mysterious faith healer Brother Emmanuel, adds a psychological dimension to the project’s tone. With Clarkson also confirmed, the cast reflects a deliberate emphasis on performance-driven storytelling.
Harris is widely recognized for his work across film and television, with credits including Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Lincoln, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, as well as prominent television roles in Mad Men, The Crown, The Terror, and Chernobyl. His stage and screen career has spanned decades, positioning him as a versatile addition to the production.
Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto is expected to reteam with Scorsese, continuing a creative partnership that has shaped the visual language of the director’s recent films.
A familiar presence in Prague
Harris’ casting also carries local relevance. The British actor has spent considerable time in Prague in recent years filming seasons two and three of the Apple TV+ series Foundation. Production on season four of Foundation is also currently underway in Prague, though Harris has not been confirmed as part of the new season’s cast.
His return for What Happens at Night underscores Prague’s continued role as a production base for Apple-backed projects. The city has increasingly hosted large-scale international features and streaming series, supported by experienced crews, established studio infrastructure, and a range of architectural locations capable of doubling for diverse European settings.
While much of Scorsese’s new film is expected to utilize studio environments and locations outside Prague to recreate the novel’s snowbound atmosphere, confirmed city-center shoots will bring visible production activity to the capital in the coming weeks.
Backed by Apple and Studiocanal and produced through Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, a release date for What Happens at Night has not been confirmed, though the project could possibly be ready by the end of the year for a 2027 awards run. With principal photography imminent and its ensemble now firmly in place, the project represents one of the most prestigious international productions ever to film in the Czech Republic.
Lead photo: Jared Harris at a 2025 event for Foundation in London / Prague skyline courtesy Depositphotos.com. Montage: The Prague Reporter
One Response
Hi, thanks for the news. We are planning to visit Prague with the hope to see Mads Mikkelsen shooting. Any specific info or tip would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.