TV Series Dirk Gently added some big names to the cast this weekend at New York Comic-Con

The new Netflix/BBC America-powered TV series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, or DGHDA for short, based off a Douglas Adams novel (creator of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) is being given the works by prodigal son of the movie industry, Max Landis, the evil mastermind behind Chronicle, American Ultra, and much, much more. Landis said that he doesn’t intend to shy away from Adams peculiar nature; instead, he plans on going “full weird” with this murderous mystery romp.

What is the TV series Dirk Gently about?

The series will follow Dirk Gently and his reluctant sidekick Todd Brotzman as they solve murders and other crimes with a time traveling psychic twist. Gently claims to solve crimes using the “fundamental interconnectedness of all things,” and is often accused of ripping off his clients, though he never actually gets paid. The detective has some mysteries of his own it seems, buried beneath a confident façade and a Scottish dagger-inspired pseudonym. Gently, born Svlad Cjelli, is portrayed in the novel as a short, pudgy guy who normally wears an old brown suit, red checked shirt with a green striped tie, a long leather coat, red hat, and thick metal-rimmed glasses, which already implies Douglas Adam, style aficionado, designed him. Luckily for fangirls everywhere, the Netflix/BBC America series will star a younger, slimmer re-imagination, likely with more fashion sense.

Who are the new cast members?

Speaking of fashion, hip actors from Nip/Tuck and 90210 were recently added to the cast. Julian McMahon and Jessica Lowndes of 90210 fame were announced at New York Comic-Con to play some very important roles in the rebooted series. McMahon (Victor Von Doom from Fantastic Four) will play Patrick Spring, a multi-millionaire who has a pivotal part to play in the murder mystery, and Lowndes will play the evil leader of the Men of the Machine crew, Jake Rainey.

What did they do at NYCC?

The cast, which already landed Elijah Wood of Lord of the Rings fame, and Samuel Barnett of Penny Dreadful presented the first episode of DGHDA this weekend at the New York Comic-Con to raucous applause. The sneak peek contained murder, leather, and Elijah Wood dressed as a bellhop. As the first official event of NYCC 2016, it looks to be the nerdiest weekend on the East Coast is off to a great start. Take a look at a nice intro video from Barnett explaining why Wood couldn’t attend the event, as well as a teaser for the series.

(Fun fact, Barnett also did some voice acting for video game adventure Fable III!)

Featured image from comic book artist Tony Akins, for the IDW Comics of Dirk Gently.