Hightown: Riley Voelkel cast in Starz’ opioid epidemic drama
The Originals alum, Riley Voelkel, will play a leading role in Starz’ upcoming crime drama Hightown, which will explore the opioid epidemic.
Starz has added a new series regular to the cast of its upcoming opioid epidemic drama, Hightown, according to Deadline. Riley Voelkel, best known for playing the fiercely protective Freya Mikaelson on The Originals, will star opposite Monica Raymund and James Badge Dale.
Set in Cape Cod, Hightown will explore the local drug trade’s effects on the community after a dead body starts raising questions. Jackie Quinones (Raymund), a National Marine Fisheries Service officer, hops on the case when the body washes ashore. Despite pressure from state police to back off, Quinones remains committed to solving the murder.
Voelkel will portray Renee Shaw, a life-long resident of the Cape who has learned to keep her guard up and “been shaped to believe relationships are transactional.” However, she is devoted to her five-year-old son, whose father, Frankie, is the Cape’s biggest dealer and currently behind bars.
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Given her ongoing relationship with Frankie, the police often pressure Renee to assist them, and she develops a connection with Det. Ray Abruzzo (Dale). But Renee “keeps her friends close and her enemies closer,” so which one is Ray?
We can’t wait to catch Voelkel on Starz and also on The CW again. Voelkel currently has a recurring arc on Roswell, New Mexico, and she may even be appearing on a certain The Originals spin-off!
In an interview with Meaww, Voelkel confirmed that Aunt Freya might just have to drop in on her favorite niece, Hope Mikaelson, the star of Legacies. As fans know, Freya and Hope have a very close relationship, so we’d love to see them reunited onscreen.
Voelkel explained that she has a similarly strong bond with her former co-star Danielle Rose Russell.
"She was incredible to work with and such a beautiful person. She has strength and class beyond her years and has made the perfect Hope. I couldn’t be more proud of her work on both ‘The Originals’ and ‘Legacies.’"
Voelkel added that she is a fan of the direction that Legacies has taken the Vampire Diaries universe in.
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"I love that ‘Legacies’ has taken this long-told story and made it into their own story. It’s so well done and I know everyone will fall in love with these characters."
Would you tune in for a Freya-Hope reunion on Legacies? Will you be watching Voelkel on Hightown? Let us know in the comments section below.