Colin Farrell to star in BBC's The North Water

Colin Farrell is set to star in BBC Two\'s adaptation of \'The North Water\'.

The 42-year-old actor will front the upcoming four-part thriller series - which is based on the critically acclaimed novel from Ian McGuire - and is being helmed by \'Lean on Pete\'s\' Andrew Haigh, and produced by See-Saw Films.

The much-anticipated series tells the story of a disgraced ex-army surgeon, named Patrick Sumner, who signs up for a whaling expedition and meets murderous a psychopath, Henry Drax (Farrell).

Haigh said: "Casting the right leads is the most important part of any project and I\'m thrilled to have Colin Farrell on board. I am a huge admirer of his work and can\'t wait to see him bring Drax vividly to life."

The BBC is in talks with several A-list actors for the role of Sumner and a deal is thought to be close, according to Deadline.

The series - which is being produced as three hour-long episodes and a 90-minute finale - has been commissioned by Controller of BBC Drama, Piers Wenger and Controller of BBC Two, Patrick Holland.

Wenger added: "Colin Farrell will bring a blend of brutality and humanity to Andrew Haigh\'s superb adaptation of this savage novel. \'The North Water\' is a brooding and resonant story which is set to grip BBC Two viewers."

\'The North Water\' will be Farrell\'s return to British TV since his breakout role in the BBC\'s 1996 series \'Ballykissangel\' and will be his most high-profile TV appearance since he featured in the second season of \'True Detective\'.

Jamie Laurenson, See-Saw Films\' COO Hakan Kousetta and Head of Television, said: "We are so proud to have the compelling talent of Colin Farrell on board to bring Andrew Haigh\'s vision of Ian McGuire\'s novel to the screen."