'Breaking Bad' actor cast as 'Under the Dome' villain

Under the Dome type TV Show network CBS

Breaking Bad‘s top cop is going Under the Dome.

Actor Dean Norris has landed the lead villain role on CBS’ upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel.

Norris will play politician and car dealership owner James “Big Jim” Rennie, who seizes an opportunity to take control of his small town Chester’s Mill when it’s sealed off from the rest of the world by a mysterious transparent force field. The casting comes on the heels of CBS signing Pan Am actor Mike Vogel to play the show’s main character, former Army officer Dale “Barbie” Barbara. Other cast members include Britt Robertson, who plays a local waitress, and Natalie Martinez, who will play an ambitious sheriff’s deputy.

The signing of Norris concludes a lengthy casting search for the role, with James Spader and Don Johnson having circled the part in recent weeks. Those familiar with Breaking Bad and the Dome novel will probably agree that Norris is great fit for this character.

Norris plays DEA Agent Hank Schrader on the acclaimed AMC meth drama Breaking Bad, which is concluding this summer. His co-star and on-screen spouse Betsy Brandt landed on NBC’s as-yet-untitled Michael J. Fox sitcom and Jonathan Banks was cast in NBC’s Bloodline pilot.

The 13-episode first season of Dome will premiere on June 24.