Back in December, Adam Rayner signed on to star in a revival of “The Saint” for a TV pilot that was filmed without network support. Although “The Saint” doesn’t appear to be moving forward, Rayner has just landed the biggest role in his career.
Deadline is reporting that Rayner has been cast as the main character in “Tyrant,” an upcoming drama pilot from FX. Produced by “Homeland” veterans Howard Gordon & Gideon Raff and Craig Wright (“Six Feet Under”), “Tyrant” follows the story of an American family headed by Rayner’s Barry and his wife, Wright who travel to a Middle Eastern country with their children and find themselves swept up in the country’s political machinations.
Rayner is primarily known for his roles in several British TV series, including “Hunted,” “Doctor Who,” “Mistress” “Sensitive Skin” and “Miranda.” In the United States, Rayner has appeared on “Hawthorne” and he co-starred opposite Felicia Day in the “Dragon Age: Redemption” web series.
Ashraf Barhom will co-star in “Tyrant” as Jamal, Barry’s “cruel” and “entitled” brother who is the son of the country’s dictator, Khalid Al-Fahed. Moran Atias plays Jamal’s wife, Leila, with “Weeds” co-star Justin Kirk playing an American diplomat with a hidden agenda and Salim Daw as Yussef, the closest confident to Khalid Al-Fahed.
Ang Lee had previously been attached to direct the pilot episode of “Tyrant,” but he pulled out shortly after winning his second directing Oscar for Life Of Pi. David Yates will now direct the pilot episode.
“Tyrant” will be filmed in Morocco and it is heavily expected to be ordered to series by FX.
