Ang Lee Will Direct the Pilot for FX’s New Drama 'Tyrant,' From the Creators of 'Homeland'

Less than a month ago Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best Director. So, naturally, along comes the news that for his next trick, he’s headed for the small screen.

FX announced today that the “Life of Pi” auteur will direct the pilot for the network’s new project “Tyrant,” a drama from “Homeland” producers Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff (the creator of the original Israeli show “Prisoners of War” on which the Showtime hit is based) as well as “Dirty Sexy Money” creator Craig Wright.

“Tyrant” will be Lee’s first project post-“Life of Pi” as well as his first venture into television. “Tyrant,” which hasn’t yet been picked up to series but seems a pretty safe bet to get a season order, is about an unassuming American family that gets drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation.

READ MORE: ‘Homeland’ Creator Gideon Raff Lands New Project ‘Tyrant’ at FX

Raff created “Tyrant” and wrote the pilot, while Wright will serve as the showrunner if “Tyrant” is ordered to series. Gordon, Raff and Wright are all executive producers in association with Keshet Broadcasting — the project is being produced by Fox 21 and FX Productions.

“Ang Lee has demonstrated time and again an ability to present characters with such depth and specificity that they reveal the universal human condition,” said FX’s John Landgraf in the announcement “No one could be a more perfect film maker to bring Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, and Craig Wright’s ‘Tyrant’ to indelible life.”

Production is tentatively slated to begin this summer.

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