Source:TNT

June 26, 2009

Noah Wyle ("ER," TNT's "The Librarian" movies) has been cast in the lead role in the pilot for a bold new TNT series from DreamWorks Television and Steven Spielberg. Wyle will play the leader of a rag-tag group of soldiers and civilians as they struggle against an occupying alien force.

The untitled project will be executive-produced by Spielberg, along with DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank and screenwriter Robert Rodat. Rodat, who earned an Oscar® nomination for his screenplay for Saving Private Ryan, is writing the script for the pilot from an idea he co-conceived with Spielberg.

The pilot opens shortly after aliens have wiped out most of the human population. They are now going about the task of rounding up the few survivors.

"Noah Wyle is an incredibly talented actor and also an extraordinary person, so we're proud to work with him again," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "It's also great to collaborate with an amazing production team headed by Steven Spielberg on what is certain to be a compelling and provocative series."

Wyle said, "I am overjoyed to continue my association with TNT on this new project. We have a longstanding relationship spanning four projects, and I couldn't feel more at home. I also have the pleasure of re-teaming with Steven Spielberg, who was behind the creation of 'ER,' my home for the last 15 years, and look forward to working with the DreamWorks Television team."

"It is a privilege to be starting a second series with Noah," Spielberg said. "The first didn't do too bad."

"We look forward to extending our relationship with TNT and working with Noah Wyle on this exciting and powerful project," added Falvey and Frank. "Noah is a truly gifted actor whose everyman qualities will make the drama of the series very real and relatable for viewers."

This project marks Wyle's fifth venture with TNT, following three popular "Librarian" action-adventure movies and the acclaimed movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley." The project also marks TNT's third collaboration with DreamWorks Television, following "Into the West," a successful, critically acclaimed limited series from 2005, and "Wedding Day," TNT's first foray into unscripted series.