FX has cast “House of Cards” star Corey Stoll in the lead role in its drama pilot “The Strain,” based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and author Chuck Hogan.
Del Toro and Hogan will co-write the pilot script, with del Toro attached to direct. Award-winning writer and producer Carlton Cuse (“Lost,” “Bates Motel”) will be an Executive Producer and oversee the series with Del Toro. He will serve as showrunner as the pilot goes to series. Hogan and Gary Ungar will also serve as Executive Producers. FX Productions will produce.
“The Strain” is a one-hour high concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.
“To me, having the right lead for ‘The Strain’ series was perhaps the most important creative task,” said del Toro. “To be able to secure the perfect actor in Corey Stoll sets the project on the right track. To embody a character like Ephraim Goodweather – who transitions through every emotion and situation imaginable, and which anchors the narrative of the series – requires amazing talent and craft. Corey has both in spades as he has demonstrated it over and over again.”
(Photo Credit: Joseph Marzullo / WENN.com)
