Two-time Emmy and Golden Globe nomineeDavid Oyelowois set to star in Showtime’s drama seriesThe President Is Missing, based on the bestselling novel byPresident Bill ClintonandJames Patterson, Collider has learned.
Oyelowo will play a powerless and politically aimless Vice President who unexpectedly becomes President halfway into his administration’s first term, despite his every wish to the contrary. He walks right into a secret, world-threatening crisis, both inside and outside the White House. Attacked by both friends and enemies alike, with scandal and conspiracy swirling around him, he is confronted with a terrible choice: keep his head down, toe the party line and survive, or act on his stubborn, late-developing conscience and take a stand.
Christopher McQuarriewill executive produce the series alongsideHeather McQuarrieandInvictusscribeAnthony Peckham, who is writing the adaptation. Clinton and Patterson will also serve as executive producers along withBill Robinson,Leopoldo Goutand Oyelowo.Jillian Sharewill serve as a co-executive producer for Invisible Ink Productions. The book sold more than 2.3 million copies in North America alone, and Showtime has already ordered a pilot that is scheduled to begin shooting in 2020.
“David brings such enormous depth, sensitivity and power to every role he plays. Having him as our lead ensures that our series will have the exhilarating suspense of a political thriller along with the juicy complexity of a character drama," said Showtime presidentGary Levine.
Oyelowo received a Golden Globe nomination for his powerful portrayal ofMartin Luther King, Jr.inAva DuVernay’s acclaimed dramaSelma,and he also earned a Golden Globe nomination as well as a pair of Emmy nominations as the executive producer and star of HBO’sNightingale. Oyelowo recently played Javert oppositeDominic West’s Jean Valjean in the BBC miniseriesLes Misérables, and he also starred in the Blumhouse movieDon’t Let Go. His other feature credits also includeA Wrinkle in Time,A Most Violent Year,Interstellar,The Butler,Jack Reacher,Lincoln, andRise of the Planet of the Apes. Oyelowo is represented by CAA.
For more on Showtime’s 2020 slate,check out our storyonFleabagstarAndrew Scottbeing cast as the new “talented Mr. Ripley.”
