The Man Who Fell to Earth has added three stars to its cast. Chiwetel Ejiofor (above), Naomie Harris, and Jimmi Simpson will star in the upcoming sci-fi drama which is based on the book by Walter Tevis. The limited series will now air on Showtime instead of the Paramount+ streaming service. The show will follow the journey of an alien (Ejiofor) who crashes on Earth at a pivotal time in human evolution. Harris will play a brilliant scientist and engineer while Simpson will play an obsessed CIA agent (per Deadline).
Showtime announced Harris’ casting and revealed more about the upcoming series in a press release:
“SHOWTIME announced today that Oscar, BAFTA(R), Screen Actors Guild(R) and Golden Globe(R) award nominee Naomie Harris (Moonlight) will star in the highly anticipated upcoming original drama series THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH. Harris will play Justin Falls, a brilliant scientist and engineer who must conquer her own demons in the race to save two worlds. The series, also starring Oscar and Emmy(R) nominee and BAFTA Award winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), is scheduled to begin production in London this spring and will premiere exclusively on SHOWTIME in 2022. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine and Jana Winograde, Presidents of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.
Based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name and the iconic film that starred David Bowie, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH will follow a new alien character (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet are writing and executive producing the series and with executive producer John Hlavin will serve as showrunners. Kurtzman will also direct multiple episodes of the series. Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Heather Kadin are also executive producing.
“To be working with an actor of Naomie’s caliber is an absolute dream,” said Kurtzman, Lumet and Hlavin. “Her strength, her complexity and her bold artistic choices are an inspiration. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.”
A premiere date for The Man Who Fell to Earth has not yet been set.
What do you think? Are you planning to check out The Man Who Fell to Earth on Showtime?
