Michael Weston (“House”) and Stephen Mangan (“Episodes”) have been cast as the titular leads on Fox’s upcoming mystery adventure drama “Houdini & Doyle.”
Weston will play magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, while Mangan will portray “Sherlock Holmes” creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The duo will join forces with New Scotland Yard to investigate unsolved and inexplicable crimes with a supernatural slant. “Houdini & Doyle” will debut next spring on ITV Encore, and sometime in 2016 on Fox.
Also joining the cast is Rebecca Liddiard (“Man Seeking Woman”) as Constable Adelaide Stratton, whose character is the first female constable ever to work for the London Metropolitan Police Force.
Stephen Hopkins (“24”) is set to direct the 10-episode series.
“I’ve long been intrigued by both Houdini and Doyle; men who were ahead of their time, each fascinating in their own right. But the idea that these two, seemingly so different, could have been friends is almost too perfect,” said executive producer David Shore. “In Michael and Stephen, we have found two incredible actors that embody the intelligence, humor and mystique of these men who, even when viewed through the lens of history, are larger than life.”
“Houdini & Doyle” is a U.K./Canada Treaty co-production from Big Talk Productions (U.K.) and Shaftesbury (Canada), in association with Shore Z Productions. The series is written and created by Shore’s longtime collaborator, David Hoselton, as well as screenwriter David Titcher (“The Librarians”).
Kenton Allen, Matthew Justice, Luke Alkin, Christina Jennings, Maggie Murphy and Scott Garvie also serve as executive producers. The series is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.