After spending several years in development hell, “Powers” finally has its first cast member.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Charles S. Dutton has been signed to portray Captain Cross, the head of a police homicide division that investigates crimes involving people with superpowers. The lead roles of detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim have not yet been filled, although FX is rumored to be pursuing former “Friday Night Lights” star Kyle Chandler to play Walker.
Dutton is a highly regarded actor best known for his starring role in the Fox sitcom, “Roc,” which notably aired live during every episode of its second season. Dutton also earned Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Performer for his turns on “The Practice” and “Without a Trace.” Additionally, Dutton has appeared in several feature films including “A Time To Kill,” “Cry, The Beloved Country,” “Menace II Society,” “Secret Window,” “Gothika” and “Rudy.”
Among genre fans, Dutton is notable for his supporting roles in “Alien 3,” “Legion” and the short lived alien invasion drama, “Threshold.”
“Powers” is based upon the long running comic book series by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Oeming. Former “Walking Dead” executive producer Charles H. Eglee wrote the pilot script, with Michael Dinner (“Justified”) slated to direct the first episode.
The “Powers” pilot finally received the official greenlight earlier this year and it may premiere as early as 2012 if it gets picked up to series by FX.