David Oyelowo to Star in TV Adaptation of Book by Bill Clinton & James Patterson

David Oyelowo has been cast in the upcoming Showtime series The President is Missing, which is an adaptation of the novel by Bill Clinton and James Patterson.

The 43-year-old Selma actor has been cast as the title character for the new series. Showtime has ordered a pilot, which will be shot in 2020.

In The President Is Missing, a powerless and politically aimless Vice President (Oyelowo) unexpectedly becomes President halfway into his administration’s first term, despite his every wish to the contrary. He walks right into a secret, world-threatening crisis, both inside and outside the White House. Attacked by both friends and enemies alike, with scandal and conspiracy swirling around him, he is confronted with a terrible choice: keep his head down, toe the party line and survive, or act on his stubborn, late-developing conscience and take a stand.

The book was the number one novel of 2018 with over 2.3 million copies sold in North America alone.

“David brings such enormous depth, sensitivity and power to every role he plays,” Showtime co-president Gary Levine said in a statement. “Having him as our lead ensures that our series will have the exhilarating suspense of a political thriller along with the juicy complexity of a character drama.”