Hugh Laurie will star in Armando Iannucci’s new HBO space comedy.
Iannucci, who directed Death of Stalin, Veep and The Thick of It, is working on a comedy which will be set in space. The talented director will also be writing and executive producing the series. Laurie will be playing the “charming and in-control American space captain” of Avenue 5. His character will be called Ryan Clark.
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“It’s set in the world of space tourism about 40 years in the future. It’s not flying cars and stuff, it’s about what really happens when a lot of people just have to get on with each other in space,” the director revealed.
He added: “If I look at the present, I lose my sense of humor, so I’m looking to take stories from other periods and show how the present is reflected in them.”
Iannucci also revealed that he has been influenced by Black Mirror and admits he finds the show’s brilliance intimidating: “I like it a lot. I try and ration my viewing of it because I don’t want to be even subliminally affected by it. It’s really well done.”
“I watched the Star Trek one recently. That was a fantastic story, really well performed and shot. I ration myself to one every few months so I’m not too depressed by its general brilliance.”
Iannucci’s currently untitled space comedy is due to start filming later this year.
