FX's buzzy drama pilot Tyrant has enlisted a Zero Dark Thirty alum.
Fares Fares, who played a CIA special activities division officer in the best picture Oscar nominee, has joined the cast, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
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Tyrant is the latest drama from Homeland's Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff, as well as Six Feet Under's Craig Wright. The plot evolves around an unassuming American family -- Barry (Adam Rayner), Molly and their kids -- who are drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation.
Lebanese-born Fares will play the role of Fauzi Nadal, an old friend of Barry's from the war-torn city known for its righteous opposition to his family's regime.
He joins a cast that also includes Weeds alum Justin Kirk as American diplomat John Tucker and Mob Doctor's Jordana Spiro, who will have a recurring role as his wife, Dana.
STORY: 'Weeds' Alum Justin Kirk to Star in FX Drama From 'Homeland' Producers
Fares, repped by DBA and Magnolia Entertainment, is currently filming the Summit Entertainment feature Child 44 with Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman. His credits also include Safe House and Danish feature The Keeper of Lost Causes.
Raff is set to write the pilot and executive produce alongside Wright and Gordon. David Yates will direct the pilot for Fox 21. FX landed the project in December following a three-way cable bidding war.
Raff created and single-handedly wrote every episode of Hatufim, the Israeli series that inspired Showtime's Emmy-winning drama Homeland.
FX is high on Tyrant, with CEO John Landgraf telling reporters in March that a writing staff had already been assembled for the drama, with additional scripts already in the works.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
