Yahoo News Sean Penn will star in a Channel 4 sci-fi series
Sean Penn is set to lead a science-fiction TV series.
The Oscar winner will star in Hulu original drama The First, which will premiere on Hulu in the US and Channel 4 in the UK in 2018.
Set in the near future, The First will follow the first human mission to Mars, exploring the challenges of taking the first steps toward interplanetary colonisation.
The story focuses not only on the astronauts, but also on their families and loved ones, as well as the ground team on Earth.
The First was given a straight-to-series order by both Hulu and Channel 4, and production will begin this year.
It has been created by House of Cards writer Beau Willimon, who will serve as executive producer on the show alongside his producing partner Jordan Tappis, under their Westward Productions banner.
"I have such deep admiration for Sean's immense talent and extraordinary body of work," said Willimon.
"I feel very lucky to be collaborating with an artist of his calibre."
The role marks Penn's first major foray into television, although he did appear in several episodes of hit '90s sitcom Friends.
The actor played Eric, a sweaty teacher and love interest to both Phoebe and her twin sister, Ursula – but Penn is of course much better known for his film career.
The actor has won two Oscars, one for his role in Clint Eastwood's Mystic River and another as Harvey Milk in biopic Milk. He has also been nominated three more times for his roles in Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown and I Am Sam.
Next stop, the Emmys?
The First will premiere on Hulu in the US and Channel 4 in the UK in 2018.
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