Richard Armitage to star in new spy series, Berlin Station

Fresh from his stint on Hannibal‘s third season as Francis Dolarhyde/The Red Dragon, Richard Armitage (The Hobbit) has been cast in the upcoming EPIX original spy series, Berlin Station, Variety reports.

The British actor, who also played a spy in Spooks, will star as Daniel Meyer, described as “the cerebral, newly-anointed CIA case officer who goes from being an analyst at Langley to an undercover agent in Berlin tasked with finding an informant.”

He will be joined by Michelle Forbes (The Killing, True Blood) who will play Valerie Edwards, “the no-nonsense administrator who serves as a Berlin Station Section Head.”

They join other announced cast members Richard Jenkins (playing Steven Frost, a veteran of the Cold War who serves as the CIA’s Chief of the Berlin Station) and Rhys Ifans (playing Case Officer Hector DeJean, the darkly charming agent who mentors Meyer.)

“We are very happy to have found our Daniel to join this incredible ensemble cast,” EPIX President and CEO told Variety. “Richard is a singular talent who has the presence and attitude to bring this character and story to life. We are also honored that Michelle has joined Berlin Station. She is a gifted actor who embodies the richness of character pivotal to the show. This venture is an exciting step in the network’s continued commitment to bringing our viewers smart, sophisticated offerings that have a broad appeal.”

Amy Powell, president of Paramount TV, which is co-producing the show, added:

“Both Richard and Michelle are enormously talented actors who exhibit an on-screen intensity and passion that viewers respond to because of their intellect and ability to let transformation overcome their characters. We are honored to have them join this stellar cast and that they will be taking on these intricate roles.”

Berlin Station centers on Armitage’s Meyer, who arrives in the CIA foreign station in Berlin, Germany and is on a mission to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a whistleblower named Thomas Shaw. Guided by veteran DeJean, Meyer makes his way through the complex world of the field agent with all its dangers and moral compromises. The deeper he dives into German capital’s “hall of mirrors”, the more threads of conspiracy he discovers and the more he realizes that nothing will ever be the same again after this posting to Berlin.

Berlin Station begins production this fall and is set to premiere in fall 2016.