# Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty Cast in Amazon MGM's 'Butcher & Blackbird'

The actors will play rival killers Sloane Sutherland and Rowan Kane in a Prime Video adaptation of Brynne Weaver's bestselling dark-romance novel.

By The Signal Edition | Culture / Film
Published: 2026-10-22T23:16:00Z
Updated: 2026-10-22T23:16:00Z
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Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/91d703ebc22eb3a0aed30c765faa4712.jpg (Actor Emma Laird poses in a navy pinstripe suit against a blue studio background; credit: Peter Searle / Screen International)

## Summary
- Amazon MGM Studios cast Emma Laird as Sloane Sutherland and Thomas Doherty as Rowan Kane.
- Chris McKay is attached to direct from a Laura Kosann screenplay revised by Ari Berkowitz and Ava Tramer.
- The project is planned for worldwide release on Prime Video, but no release date has been announced.
- The film adapts the first novel in Brynne Weaver's Ruinous Love trilogy.

## Amazon MGM names its lead pair

Amazon MGM Studios has cast Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty as the leads of “Butcher & Blackbird,” a screen adaptation of Brynne Weaver's bestselling dark-romance novel. The studio confirmed the pairing on Oct. 22, identifying Laird as Sloane Sutherland and Doherty as Rowan Kane. Deadline reported that the project is intended for a worldwide release on Prime Video; the studio has not announced a release date. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/) [2](https://x.com/AmazonMGMStudio/status/2113340869419897324)

Chris McKay, whose directing credits include “The Lego Batman Movie,” “The Tomorrow War” and “Renfield,” is attached to direct. Laura Kosann wrote the screenplay, with revisions by Ari Berkowitz and Ava Tramer, according to Deadline. Alexander Black of Lyrical Media and Embrace are producing, while Weaver, McKay and Lyrical Media executives Arlen Konopaki, Jon Rosenberg and Jonathan Faust are among the executive producers. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/)

## A dark romance built around rival killers

Published in 2023, “Butcher & Blackbird” follows Sloane and Rowan, two killers who target other murderers and turn their pursuit into a recurring competition. Their rivalry develops into a romance as they try to stay ahead of both their targets and the consequences of their own violence. The book is the opening installment of Weaver's Ruinous Love trilogy, followed by “Leather & Lark” and “Scythe & Sparrow.” The story contains graphic violence and adult themes, which are central to its dark-romance framing. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/) [3](https://www.screendaily.com/features/stars-of-tomorrow-2025-emma-laird-actress/5209251.article)

Deadline reported that Weaver's books have sold more than five million copies in over 25 countries. The existing readership gives Amazon MGM a recognizable property, but the announcement did not specify how closely the screenplay will follow the novel or whether the sequels are included in the studio's plans. A production timetable was also not disclosed. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/)

## The leads' recent work

Laird has appeared in “Mayor of Kingstown,” “A Haunting in Venice” and “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” Her recent work also includes the BBC crime drama “Mint,” and she is attached to other announced projects. Doherty is known for Hulu's “Paradise,” the “Gossip Girl” revival and “High Fidelity.” Their casting moves the adaptation beyond its earlier development stage, though Amazon MGM has not said when filming will begin. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/) [3](https://www.screendaily.com/features/stars-of-tomorrow-2025-emma-laird-actress/5209251.article)

The studio's announcement establishes the principal cast and destination but leaves several production questions open, including the supporting cast, shooting schedule and premiere date. It also does not say whether Prime Video plans a theatrical window before streaming. Until Amazon MGM provides those details publicly, reports assigning a specific release window, production start or distribution pattern would be speculative. [1](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/) [2](https://x.com/AmazonMGMStudio/status/2113340869419897324)

## Reporting sources
1. [Deadline: 'Butcher & Blackbird' Movie Set At Amazon MGM, Cast Unveiled](https://deadline.com/2026/10/butcher-and-blackbird-movie-amazon-mgm-cast-unveiled-1237170757/) (2026-10-22)
2. [Amazon MGM Studios: Casting announcement for Butcher & Blackbird](https://x.com/AmazonMGMStudio/status/2113340869419897324) (2026-10-22)
3. [Screen Daily: Stars of Tomorrow 2025: Emma Laird](https://www.screendaily.com/features/stars-of-tomorrow-2025-emma-laird-actress/5209251.article) (2025-09-25)