EXCLUSIVE: Jennifer Beals is set as the female lead opposite Clive Standen in Taken, NBC’s straight-to-series adaptation of the hit movie franchise.

Written and executive produced by Alex Cary, who serves as showrunner, the Taken TV series is a modern-day prequel to the film franchise that depicts how Bryan Mills (Standen) developed and sharpened his particular set of skills. Beals will play Christina Hart, the Special Deputy Director of National Intelligence who has taken Mills under her wing. Cultured and powerful with a wealth of field experience, her current government position has her overseeing an elite team of operatives who take care of America’s national security emergencies.

EuropaCorp TV USA and Universal Television are producing, with Luc Besson and Matt Gross executive producing. Alex Graves is directing.

The L Word alumna Beals recently starred as the lead of TNT’s Proof, and the indie feature Cinemanovels. She is repped by APA and attorney Patti Felker.