CBS Studios' James Comey Series Casts Its Obama

The James Comey miniseries has cast Kingsley Ben-Adir to play former president Barack Obama, a spokesperson for CBS Studios confirmed to TheWrap.

The series also set Brian d’Arcy James (“Spotlight”) to play former FBI Deputy Director Mark Giuliano; Steve Zissis (“Togetherness”) will to play former FBI General Counsel Jim Baker, and Shawn Doyle (“House of Cards”) will play the assistant director of the FBI Counterintelligence Division Bill Priestap.

Ben-Adir’s previous roles include series like “Peaky Blinders” and “The OA,” as well as in the Disney+ film “Noelle” with Anna Kendrick. He will next be seen alongside Zoe Kravitz in “High Fidelity.”

Also Read: How to Watch CBS News' Coverage of the Trump Impeachment Hearings

Jeff Daniels will play former FBI director James Comey in CBS Studios’ upcoming miniseries based on his memoir, “A Higher Loyalty.” Other previously announced cast include Brendan Gleeson asDonald Trump, Holly Hunter asActing Attorney General Sally Yates, Michael Kelly as Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, Jennifer Ehle as Patrice Comey, Peter Coyote as Robert Mueller, Steven Pasquale as Peter Strzok, and Oona Chaplin as Lisa Page.

The book, which was released in April 2018 by Flatiron Books, gets its title from president Donald Trump’s alleged desire for Comey to give him a loyalty pledge. Comey was first appointed FBI director by former president Barack Obama in 2013, and was fired by Trump less than a year into his presidency.

The project is written by “Richard Jewell” and “Captain Phillips” writer Billy Ray, and comes from Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout and Shane Selerno’s The Story Factory. Filming begins in November on the four-part series, and could air on either CBS All Access or Showtime.

Deadline was first to report the news.

2019 Holiday TV Specials: 25 Programs Sure to Make Your Days Merry and Bright (Photos)

With Thanksgiving just one day away, you are now officially allowed to start listening to "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (if you haven't been since Nov. 1, that is), baking cookies, shopping for presents and -- most importantly -- tuning into those holiday TV specials you look forward to throughout the less festive times of the year. TheWrap has rounded up all the new ones (and just a couple fan-favorite rebroadcasts) you can't miss this season. Click through our gallery to check out the list of 2019's holiday-themed TV givings.

Also Read: Midseason TV 2020: Complete List of Premiere Dates for New and Returning Broadcast Shows (Updating)
Netflix
Program: "Wrap Battle"* Net: Freeform Date: Premieres Nov. 25 Time: 9 p.m. & 10 p.m.

*New episodes air Dec. 2 & Dec. 9
Freeform
Program: "Ellen's Game of Games" holiday edition Net: NBC Date: Nov. 27 Time: 8 p.m.
NBC
Program: "Merry Happy Whatever" Season 1 Net: Netflix Date: Nov. 28

In this dark comedy miniseries, "a struggling LA musician tries to win over his new girlfriend's gruff dad and quirky, tight-knit siblings on a 10-day Christmas visit to Philadelphia." It stars Dennis Quaid, Bridgit Mendler, Brent Morin, Ashley Tisdale, Hayes MacArthur, Adam Rose, and Siobhan Murphy.
Netflix
Program: "The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration" Net: ABC Date: Nov. 28 Time: 8 p.m.
ABC
Program: "Outrageous Holiday Houses" hosted by Lance Bass Net: HGTV Date: Nov. 28 Time: 11 p.m.

The special follows the NSYNC star on a cross-country tour of spectacular holiday displays.
Getty
Program: "The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show" Net: Amazon Prime Video Date: Nov. 29
Amazon Prime Video
Program: "Sugar Rush Christmas" Net: Netflix Date: Nov. 29
Netfilx
Program: "The Great Christmas Light Fight" Net: ABC Date: Premieres Dec. 2* Time: 8 p.m.

*Weekly series
ABC
Program: "Making It" Net: NBC Date: Premieres Dec. 2* Time: 10 p.m.

*Weekly series
NBC
Program: "CMA Country Christmas" Net: ABC Date: Dec. 3 Time: 9 p.m.
Program: "The Moodys" Net: Fox Date: Premieres Dec. 4* Time: 9 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

*New episodes air Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Fox
Program: "87th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Net: NBC
Date: Dec. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
NBC
Program: "Same Time, Next Christmas"* Net: ABC Date: Dec. 5 Time: 9 p.m.

*TV movie
ABC
Program: "Beat Shazam" holiday edition Net: Fox Date: Dec. 9 Time: 8 p.m.
Fox
Program: “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways" Net: NBC Date: Premieres 10* Time: 8 p.m.

*New episodes air Dec. 11 & Dec. 12.
NBC
Program: "The Masked Singer" holiday edition Net: Fox Date: Dec. 11 Time: 8 p.m.
Fox
Program: "A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy"* Net: NBC Date: Dec. 12 Time: 10 p.m.

*Rebroadcast
NBC
Program: "The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition" Net: ABC Date: Premieres Dec. 12* Time: 9 p.m.

*Weekly series
ABC
Program: “Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World" Net: Disney Channel Date: Dec. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
Getty
Program: "Holidays with the Houghs" Net: NBC Date: Dec. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
NBC
Program: “Good Trouble" holiday special Net: Freeform Date: Dec. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
Freeform
Program: "A Home for the Holidays With Idina Menzel" Net: CBS Date: Dec. 22 Time: 9 p.m.
Getty
Program: "Kids Say the Darndest Things" holiday edition Net: ABC Date: Dec. 22 Time: 8 p.m.
ABC
Program: "A Christmas Story Live!"* Net: Fox Date: Dec. 24 Time: 8 p.m.

*Rebroadcast
Fox
Program: "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" Net: ABC Date: Dec. 25 Time: 10 a.m.
ABC

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There’s something for everyone (naughty and nice) on this list — and yes, we checked it twice

With Thanksgiving just one day away, you are now officially allowed to start listening to "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (if you haven't been since Nov. 1, that is), baking cookies, shopping for presents and -- most importantly -- tuning into those holiday TV specials you look forward to throughout the less festive times of the year. TheWrap has rounded up all the new ones (and just a couple fan-favorite rebroadcasts) you can't miss this season. Click through our gallery to check out the list of 2019's holiday-themed TV givings.

Also Read: Midseason TV 2020: Complete List of Premiere Dates for New and Returning Broadcast Shows (Updating)

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2019 Holiday TV Specials: 25 Programs Sure to Make Your Days Merry and Bright (Photos)

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