The classic H.G. Wells story “War of the Worlds” is headed to the small screen via BBC later this year, but it’s not the only adaptation of the story in the works. As reported by Deadline, a series adaptation is also on the way from Canal+, Fox Networks Group, AGC Television and Urban Myth Film, with Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary) set to lead the cast.
Byrne will star alongside Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), with Léa Drucker (Le Bureau Des Légendes), Natasha Little (Silent Witness), Daisy Edgar Jones (Cold Feet), Stéphane Caillard (Marseille), Adel Bencherif (The Prophet) and Guillaume Gouix (The Returned) also on board.
Set in contemporary Europe, the reimagining will follow the pockets of humanity left on earth following an apocalyptic extra-terrestrial strike.
Written and created by Howard Overman (Misfits), the eight episode series will be directed by Gilles Coulier (Cargo) and Richard Clark (Versailles).
“The series is due to debut later this year on Canal+ in France, and on Fox in more than 50 markets,” Deadline notes.