C.J. Box’s “Joe Pickett” series has finally found its star and filming will commence soon.
New Zealand actor Michael Dorman, known for his roles “The Invisible Man” remake and the Apple TV+ series “For All Mankind,” has been cast as the famous game warden from Box’s 20-novel series, according to Deadline.
“We’ve been teasing this for months. Now here it is and we couldn’t be more pleased!” Box wrote in a social media post about the casting announcement on Thursday.
Spectrum Originals has given a 10-episode order for the series, which will be an hourlong drama series based on the novels. The project is coming from “Waco” creators John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle and Paramount TV Studios.
“Joe Pickett” follows the titular game warden and his family as they navigate the changing political and socio-economic climate in a small rural town in Wyoming. Surrounded by rich history and vast wildlife, the township hides decades of schemes and secrets that are yet to be uncovered.
The series will air for a nine-month exclusive run on Spectrum.
“C.J. Box’s brilliant and beloved Joe Pickett novels draw you in with the quiet beauty of the Wyoming setting, but it’s the characters that keep you riveted in their complexity, passion and unique points of view — for better or worse,” said Katherine Pope, Head of Spectrum Originals. “Michael has the intensity, humanity and humor that Joe Pickett demands.”
Box will serve as an executive producer on the series.
This is the second TV series adaptation of Box’s work ordered over the past year. The other, David E. Kelley’s “Big Sky,” based on Box’s Cassie Dewell novels, has been a breakout hit for ABC.
“C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels truly have something for everyone—spellbinding storytelling, multifaceted characters, and of course the breathtaking setting of the Wyoming wilderness—and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Spectrum Originals, Red Wagon and John Erick and Drew Dowdle in bringing these characters to life,” said Paramount Television Studios President Nicole Clemens. “The Dowdles have a sharp instinct for the specificity of this rich world. Joe Pickett is a ‘still waters run deep’ character and so we feel unbelievably fortunate to have Michael Dorman, who brings amazing depth to this character.”
