Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Life on Mars and Doctor Who star John Simm has signed up to play Jack Whelan in BBC America’s adaptation of Michael Marshall Smith’s novel The Intruders.

In the series, adapted and produced by Glen Morgan, Simm’s Whelan is a Los Angeles cop turned writer who has escaped a dark, violent past for a  seemingly quiet life with his wife, Amy. When Amy goes missing, Jack is plunged  into an investigation that forces him to confront the sins of his past and  re-examine the very foundations he’s built his life upon. The series is described as “a contemporary, chilling, paranormal drama set in the moody Pacific Northwest. As strange, apparently unrelated events start happening, multiple story-lines – a missing wife, an assassin covering his crimes, a child on the run – begin to intertwine to reveal a conspiracy that will forever change our understanding of  human nature.”

Simm commented: “After reading Glen Morgan’s brilliant script, I knew I  couldn’t pass up the chance to play this complex character. It is also a great  opportunity to reunite with Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, and with BBC  America.”

Glen Morgan added: “I am thrilled to be working with John Simm, one of the UK’s most exciting talents, on the realization of Michael Marshall Smith’s novel. The BBC has always broken new ground in this genre and I look forward to  playing a part in that tradition. Together with directors, Eduardo Sanchez and  Daniel Stamm, we plan to put a whole new spin on creepy.”

On Twitter, Michael Marshall Smith commented that the story should be filed under “****ing awesome news” and that Simm was “great – and perfect for it.”