Welsh actor Alexander Vlahos, known for his roles in TV series such as “Merlin,” “Outlander” and “Versailles,” is set to play a British ornithologist who, during a field trip to Sicily, gets involved in more than mere birdwatching.

Shooting is underway in Sicily on the indie drama “Hearts of Salt,” the first feature by London-based line producer Rosa Russo. The passion project is structured as a three-way co-production between Italy, the U.K. and Tunisia, with shooting also planned in the North African country. Tunisia will serve as a second location besides the Italian island.

Though plot details are scarce, “Hearts of Salt” will see Vlahos — who will soon be seen opposite Lindsay Lohan in the Netflix rom-com “Irish Wish” — arrive in Sicily on a mission to study the effects of climate change on bird migrations. However, the ornithologist will soon have to abandon his role as a detached observer of flight patterns in the Sicilian skies after witnessing a series of dramatic events on the ground comprising cultural and generational clashes, a growing disconnect in family and human ties, and the broader ecological crisis which is the overall backdrop against which “Hearts of Salt” is set.

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The film’s other cast members include Italy’s Eleonora De Luca (“The Macaluso Sisters,” “The Hunter”); Roberta Rigano “I Know This Much is True”; Gaetano Aronica (“Barbarians”); Paride Benassai (“Viola Come il Mare”); Saverio Santangelo (“Viola Come il Mare”); Fabio Orso and Tunisia’s Fares Landoulisi (“Omertà”).

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“Hearts of Salt” is being co-produced by Italy’s Artimagiche Film, PFA and Blue Lions Films; Webra Multimedia of the U.K. and Tunisia’s Cinétéléfilm.

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