Helicon Arts Cooperative, a cinematic arts foundation and production company dedicated to innovative storytelling, is pleased to announce ‘Star Trek: Picard’ actress Olivia Youngers has been cast in the mystery thriller ‘Contre-Coup’ feature film, due to begin filming in 2025. Youngers will star with actresses Rekha Sharma (Battlestar Galactica, Transplant, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and Nicola Bryant (Doctor Who). Actor Rico E. Anderson (Truth Be Told, SWAT) is also attached.
Written by James Kerwin (Yesterday Was a Lie), who will also direct, ‘Contre-Coup’ tells the story of a brilliant but troubled particle theorist desperately searching for answers as to why the only life he knows — and the only woman he’s ever loved — are disappearing before his eyes.
“I’d been kicking around the idea for a spiritual successor to my last feature,‘ Yesterday Was a Lie, ’for a few years. ‘Contre-Coup’ is a sci-fi-leaning film that deals with some weighty and timely social issues. We used the pandemic to dive into the screenplay and secure development funding, but then the industry strikes hit. Now that our business is ramping up again, we’re back to assembling a team of solid talent for a shoot next year. Ultimately, I think the delays helped us in the long run.” – Writer/director James Kerwin
Olivia Youngers portrayed science-division ensign “Riggs” of the U.S.S. Titan in the critically acclaimed, fan-favorite, Saturn Award-winning third season of CBS/Paramount’s ‘Star Trek: Picard.’ Before embarking on her acting journey, Youngers’ love of sci-fi led her to pursue an education in STEM. She’s also pursued independent study of dance and circus arts, specializing in numerous aerial styles and fire manipulation. Olivia now uses her skills as a biotech industry veteran, dancer, and circus arts performer to inform her acting career. Previous credits include ‘Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction’ and Felicia Day’s genre classic ‘The Guild.’
Currently starring in NBC’s hit medical drama ‘Transplant’ and Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ Rekha Sharma is widely known for her roles in ‘Star Trek: Discovery,’ ‘The 100,’ and the award-winning ‘Battlestar Galactica.’ She’s recently been seen in ‘The Cleaning Lady,’ ‘Yellowjackets,’ ‘Another Life,’ and ‘Roswell.’
Nicola Bryant is known worldwide for her portrayal of “Peri” in three seasons of ‘Doctor Who’ — a role she recently reprised in the BBC’s ‘Tales of the TARDIS.’ Credits include ‘Blackadder,’ ‘The Biz,’ and upcoming ‘Elvis vs Zombies.’ She’s starred in Audible’s ‘The Effect’ and the Royal Television Society’s award-winning film ‘The Wilds.’
Rico E. Anderson recently appeared on Apple TV’s ‘Truth Be Told’ and CBS’s ‘SWAT.’ Other credits include ‘The Orville,’ ‘Dollhouse,’ and ‘The Harimaya Bridge.’
‘Contre-Coup’ is executive produced by Sarah Nean Bruce. The director of photography is Pierce Cook, with music by composer Mike Avenaim. More details at contre-coup.com and heliconarts.com
