'Bond' Henchman to Co-Star in Alan Ball's Cinemax Drama 'Banshee'

Ulrich Thomsen

Cinemax has enlisted the star of the Oscar-winning foreign-language film In a Better World to headline its Alan Ball drama Banshee.

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Ulrich Thomsen, whose credits include playing James Bond henchman in 1999's The World Is Not Enough, has been cast as an intimidating businessman, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Jonathan Tropper and David Schicker will pen the drama, which revolves around Lucas Hood (Antony Starr) a criminal who steps into the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Penn., where he continues his shady ways while being hunted by gangsters he crossed in his past.

Thomsen will play Proctor, a successful and intimidating local businessman -- who travels with a large Rottweiler -- who is above the law in the community and leads a dangerous gang with ease.

Ivana Milicevic will play Carrie Hopewell, a former jewel thief who lives in Banshee under an assumed identity. 

In addition In a Better World, Thomsen's credits include episodes of Fringe and Alias. He's repped by Greene & Associates Talent Agency and Sanders, Armstrong, Caserta.

House's Greg Yaitanes will direct the pilot and executive produce with Ball.

Ball will juggle Banshee with his duties on HBO's campy Anna Paquin vampire drama True Blood, which is in production on its fifth season.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit