Ian McShane joins modernized King David series

Variety reports:

“Deadwood” thesp Ian McShane is headed to network TV, signing on to star in the NBC drama pilot “Kings.”

Project, from Universal Media Studios, is a modern-day take on the King David tale. Christopher Egan will play the role of David.

Michael Green (“Heroes”) wrote the pilot for “Kings” and is exec producing. Casting of McShane, and internal enthusiasm for the project from NBC U execs, increases the odds that the Peacock could decide to annouce a series order for the project at its 2008-09 schedule announcement next week. . . .

McShane, of course, has experience with biblical and quasi-biblical roles, having played Judas in Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and Sejanus in the follow-up A.D. Anno Domini (1985).