The Man Who Fell to Earth series: Bill Nighy to play David Bowie role

It was announced last year that Chiwetel Ejiofor would be starring in a drama series for Showtime based on The Man Who Fell to Earth, but it seems that the series won’t be a straight-up reboot but more of a sequel. Deadline has reported that Bill Nighy has joined the cast of The Man Who Fell to Earth as Thomas Newton, the same role played by David Bowie in the classic 1976 film directed by Nicolas Roeg.

The Man Who Fell to Earth series will follow a new alien character (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confton his own past to determine our future. Thomas Newton (Nighy) was the first alien to arrive on Earth over 40 years ago but has found himself alone and desperate. Newton summons Ejiofor’s character to complete his original mission, but Newton’s time marooned among human beings has cost him everything, possibly even his sanity. In a statement, Bill Nighy said:

I was honoured to be invited to play the part of Thomas Jerome Newton that glorious David Bowie made so famous. I was keen to work with Chiwetel and Naomie again. I think the story is terrific and brilliantly expressed. I am an enthusiast for shows which extrapolate from current technology and give us plausible glimpses of a possible near future. It’s an important story which, as well as being highly entertaining, discusses the crucial issues of our time. I like to think that the film makers of the original film would applaud Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet for their imaginative daring and loyal regard.

The newseries is being developed by Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet, and John Hlavin. In addition to Chiwetel Ejiofor and Bill Nighy, The Man Who Fell to Earth will also star Naomie Harris, Jimmi Simpson, Rob Delaney, Sonya Cassidy, Joana Ribeiro, Annelle Olaleye, Clarke Peters, and Kate Mulgrew.