FX has found a love interest for The Strain's Corey Stoll.
Alias alum Mia Maestro has landed the co-starring role in the pilot from Guillermo del Toro and Carlton Cuse, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
STORY: 'House of Cards' Star Corey Stoll Nabs Lead in FX's 'The Strain'
Based on del Toro and Chuck Hogan's book trilogy first published in 2009, the story centers on a vampire virus that infects New York and the CDC doctor, Ephraim "Eph" Goodweather, who investigates the case. House of Cards breakout Stoll will play Goodweather, the head of the CDC's Canary Team in New York who is called upon to investigate a viral outbreak connected to an evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph will lead a team of New Yorkers as it wages a war and defends humanity.
Maestro, who played Nadia on Alias from 2004-06, will portray Dr. Nora Martinez, a brilliant biochemist who serves as Eph's No. 2. They finish each other's sentences and ultimately stumble into an affair. She's further described as caring more about people than the diseases that threaten them but will soon be forced to embrace a new identity as a ruthless warrior.
STORY: Guillermo del Toro Adapting 'The Strain' at FX With 'Lost's' Carlton Cuse
Maestro's credits also include Person of Interest, White Collar and the feature Frida. She's repped by ICM Partners and 3 Arts. The actress also joins Kevin Durand in The Strain, with the Lost alum portraying Vasily Fet, Durand will play Vasily Fet, a second-generation Ukrainian-American and rat exterminator by trade who enthusiastically joins the war against the vampires. Under the mentorship of a wise vampire hunter from Eastern Europe, Fet discovers his formerly solitary life now has meaning.
FX Networks president and GM John Landgraf told reporters in March that The Strain, which is prepping to film its pilot, already had assembled a writing staff and picked up additional scripts, a strong sign the buzzy adaptation will earn a series order.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
