Apple TV+’s Neuromancer adaptation has landed its new co-lead. Based on William Gibson’s iconic 1984 cyberpunk novel, Apple TV+’s plans for a 10-episode live-action adaptation were first announced in February 2024. Despite previous rumors that Miles Teller was being considered for the leading role as the superhacker named Case, Masters of the Air’s Callum Turner would eventually be announced as the series lead in April 2024.

According to Deadline, Turner has now found his forthcoming co-star in the form of singer and actor Briana Middleton. Middleton, who previously starred alongside the likes of Sebastian Stan and Julianne Moore in the Apple TV+ thriller Sharper, will fill the role of Molly, a cybernetically enhanced “razor girl” with mirrored eyes. Previously, Middleton had also been cast as the lead in the scrapped Metropolis series from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.

Brianna Middleton’s Molly Could Become One Of Sci-Fi’s Most Iconic Roles

William Gibson’s Molly Millions Is One Of His Most Exciting Characters

Cited as one of the most influential works in the cyberpunk genre, the impact of William Gibson’s Neuromancer would not only help shape future science fiction works such as Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s The Matrix franchise, but would even impact the way people thought about the rise of the internet itself. Credited as the author responsible for originally coining the phrase “cyberspace”, many of the terms and themes first conjured in Gibson’s writings would eventually become part of the wider cultural consciousness of the late 20th century.

With this kind of widespread impact in mind, it is surprising that it has taken this long for one of the author’s most memorable characters to make her live-action debut. First introduced in the 1981 short story that formed the basis for the Keanu Reeves movie Johnny Mnemonic, Gibson’s Molly Millions has been described as one of his most complex and intriguing characters. Referred to as a “razor girl” or “street samurai”, Molly’s formidable cybernetic enhancements include razor-sharp retractable blades under her fingernails and vision-enhancing lenses that completely seal her eye sockets shut.

Depending on the success of Apple TV+’s Neuromancer, audiences may even get an opportunity to see more of Middleton’s Molly beyond the original 10-episode run currently planned for the show. With her character appearing not only in the Johnny Mnemonic prequel story, but also 1988’s Mona Lisa Overdrive, there is still plenty of potential story fodder for continued adaptations. In the meantime, this latest casting announcement will only serve to build anticipation for what is promising to be another fascinating Apple TV+ sci-fi project.

Source: Deadline