It was recently announced that famed Hollywood actor George Clooney is teaming up with the streaming service Hulu to adapt Joseph Heller’s novel Catch-22. Clooney is set to both star in and direct the series and it has now been announced that British actor Hugh Laurie has also been cast in the upcoming show.
A household name in Britain for his work on Blackadder, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and his portrayal of Bertie Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster, Laurie has earned international fame in recent years for playing the role of Dr. House in the hit US medical drama House and has also received acclaim from critics for his roles in the crime drama The Night Manager and the political comedy Veep. No doubt many fans of Catch-22 will be pleased to see the veteran actor has been cast in the role of Major de Coverley.
As Variety reports, the series will consist of six episodes and is set in Italy during World War II. The story follows a member of the U.S. Air Force named Capt. John Yossarian who is caught in the middle of an illogical ‘Catch-22’. On the one hand, our protagonist wishes to remain out of harm’s way by pretending to be mad, however, a person trying to preserve their own life is seen as rational and sane and it’s the pilots who are willing to continuously fly dangerous missions who are deemed insane. So if Yossarian wants to be allowed to avoid dangerous missions, he must fly dangerous missions.
Clooney is set to star in the role of Colonel Cathcart and the role of John Yossarian has gone to Christopher Abbott who is best known for his role in the HBO comedy drama Girls. Shooting is set to begin this Spring.
