Emmy-winner Courtney B. Vance (The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story) has signed to play opposite Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges in Peter Hedges’ drama, Ben Is Back, which began production today in New York. It follows Ben Burns (Hedges) who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve and is welcomed by his wary mother, Holly Burns (Roberts) who learns that he is still very much in harm’s way and must prevent the family’s downfall.

Vance will play Holly’s husband and stepfather to Ben, whose philosophy on how to handle Ben’s return puts him at odds with his wife.

Color Force is producing alongside Black Bear Pictures, who is fully financing the pic with 30WEST. CAA is overseeing U.S. distribution sales, while Sierra/Affinity is handling international rights.

Vance, who recently appeared opposite Tom Cruise in Universal’s The Mummy reboot and up next, can be heard in Wes Anderson’s Fox Searchlight animated film, Isle of Dogs, is repped by Gersh, Lighthouse Entertainment, and Fox Rothschild.