CBS' Under the Dome has found its star.
Breaking Bad's Dean Norris has been tapped to play the leading role of Big Jim in the network's sci-fi drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Based on the book by Stephen King, the summer series follows residents in the community of Chester's Mill as they deal with the postapocalyptic conditions that ensue when a strange dome mysteriously encapsulates the town.
STORY: CBS Orders Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' Straight to Series for Summer 2013
Norris will play Big Jim, the successful owner of Chester's Mill's used car dealership and a town councilman who takes his position seriously.
CBS Television Studios will produce the drama, which was picked up straight to series, in association with Steven Spielberg'sAmblin Television. Neal Baer (A Gifted Man, Law & Order: SVU), King, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Stacey Snider and comic scribe Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Lost) -- who penned the Under the Dome television adaptation -- will serve as executive producers. Director Niels Arden Oplev (Unforgettable, Sweden's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) will direct the first episode.
Norris joins a cast that includes Pan Am's Mike Vogel, True Blood's Aisha Hinds, Secret Circle's Britt Robertson, CSI: NY's Natalie Martinez, Jolene Purdy, Nicholas Strong, Alex Koch and Colin Ford.
Norris, who played Walter White's brother in law on Breaking Bad, is repped by Industry Entertainment. He becomes the latest Breaking Bad cast member to book his follow-up to the AMC drama. Anna Gunn is heading to Bravo's drama pilot Rita, Betsy Brandt will co-star in Michael J. Fox's NBC comedy, Jonathan Banks will play a villain in NBC's Bloodline and Matt Jones joined CBS' Chuck Lorre comedy Mom.
Under the Dome premieres June 24 on CBS.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
