Ciaran Hinds Joins USA's 'Political Animals'

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's Ciaran Hinds is heading to Washington D.C.

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The Irish actor has been tapped to star opposite Sigourney Weaver in USA Network's six-hour summer drama series, Political Animals, as the "jovial" ex-president of the United States, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

From Greg Berlanti and Laurence Mark, Political Animals centers on Elaine Barrish (Weaver), a divorced former first lady and current secretary of state, who is struggling to keep her family together while simultaneously dealing with the crises of the State Department.

The official description for Hinds' character, Bud Hammond, reads: "A gifted politician who was once loved by the American public, Bud has struggled since his divorce from Elaine, and his out-of-office antics have caused a tumble in his popularity. President Bud Hammond is still as much in love with his ex-wife as the office he once held and is eager to take on the role of elder statesman if Elaine calls on him."

He joins a cast that also includes Carla Gugino as Pulitzer-winning journalist Susan Berg, James Wolk as Elaine's son/chief of staff Douglas, Sebastian Stan as Douglas' twin brother T.J. and Brittany Ishibashi as Douglas' fiancee.

Berlanti will write and direct the pilot, in addition to executive producing with Mark. Melissa Kellner Berman will co-executive produce.

Animals comes from Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television.

The CAA-repped Hinds starred in The Debt, Munich and the HBO series Rome.