Joel Kinnaman to Star in Netflix Sci-Fi Drama ‘Altered Carbon’

Joel Kinnaman is returning to Netflix.

The star of The Killing has been tapped to topline the streaming giant’s sci-fi drama Altered Carbon, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Additionally, Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones) has signed on to direct the series premiere.

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Netflix Orders Sci-Fi Drama Based on 'Altered Carbon'

Based on Richard Morgan’s 2002 novel of the same name, Laeta Kalogridis (Avatar, Shutter Island) will pen the script for the 10-episode drama from Skydance Television.

The passion project is set in the 25th century and explores what happens when the human mind becomes digitized and the soul is transferable from one body to another. The series revolves around Takeshi Kovacs, an ex-elite interstellar warrior known as an Envoy who has been imprisoned for 500 years and who is downloaded into a future he had tried to stop. If he can solve a single murder in a world where technology has made death nearly obsolete, he will get a chance at a new life on Earth.

Kinnaman will take on the role of Envoy.

Kalogridis penned an Altered Carbon screenplay years ago, which has now become the Netflix drama. She will write the script, executive produce and serve as showrunner. Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Marcy Ross exec produce alongside Kalogridis‘ Mythology Entertainment partners Brad Fischer and James Vanderbilt.

Altered Carbon expands Netflix’s relationship with Skydance, which also has comedy Grace and Frankie set up at the streamer.

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Joel Kinnaman on Jump From 'Suicide Squad' to 'House of Cards,' Season 5 Return

Altered Carbon extends Kinnaman’s relationship with Netflix after the streamer picked up AMC drama The Killing for a fourth and final season. The actor most recently recurred on season four of Netflix’s House of Cards and will return for a few episodes of the political drama’s fifth season. His big-screen credits include the upcoming Suicide Squad, RoboCop and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Kinnaman is repped by WME, Magnolia Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.