Netflix Has Cast Leading Roles for Drama Feral
The streaming service announced the main cast for its upcoming seven-part adaptation of the novel Savages.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Television
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Netflix has officially greenlit Feral, a new seven-part drama series based on the novel Savages by Shirley Conran. The show stars Jessica Gunning, Michelle Dockery, Genevieve O'Reilly, and Quintessa Swindell.
Why it matters
The production represents a major creative investment by Netflix into adapting established literary thrillers for its global audience. It aims to capitalize on high-concept survival narratives within a corporate setting.
The production consists of seven episodes based on the novel Savages. Casting includes Jessica Gunning as Annie, Michelle Dockery as Julia, Genevieve O'Reilly as Silvana, Quintessa Swindell as Suzy, and Dolly de Leon as Elena.
The players
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that distributes a wide range of original film and television content.
Jessica Gunning
Jessica Gunning is an actress who plays the character Annie in the upcoming series.
Michelle Dockery
Michelle Dockery is a veteran actress cast to play the character Julia.
Hera Pictures
Hera Pictures is the production company responsible for developing the Feral series.
Shirley Conran
Shirley Conran is the novelist whose book Savages serves as the source material for the adaptation.
The details
The series follows four women on a corporate holiday to a tropical island who must fight for survival in the jungle after their husbands encounter danger from shady deals. Emma Freeman serves as the director for the project, which features an adaptation written by Jude Mack and production by Hera Pictures.
Timeline
Production for the series is scheduled to begin in Australia in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project fits into the ongoing streaming strategy of investing in high-stakes, female-led drama series. It highlights a broader industry push to leverage existing literary intellectual property as studios compete for subscriber retention in a saturated market.
Fans of the original novel can expect the series to be available exclusively on the Netflix platform upon its eventual premiere. The production timeline indicates that viewers will likely have to wait until at least 2026 to stream the final episodes.
The takeaway
The series brings a survival thriller narrative to the streaming screen by centering on corporate characters forced into isolation. Potential viewers can follow industry updates to track the development of this production as it moves toward its scheduled 2026 filming date.
Further reading
Find more industry news and development updates in the Television section.
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Would you watch a new Netflix drama series starring Jessica Gunning and Michelle Dockery?
