A television adaptation of former president Bill Clinton’s bestselling novel The President is Missing has found its lead in Selma and Nightingale star David Oyelowo. The show, which is set to air on Showtime, will follow a meek and less than influential Vice President, played by Oyelowo, who must take over the presidency after the president disappears from public life in the wake of a massive scandal. Little does he know, in reluctantly accepting the nation’s top office, he is placing himself in the middle of a geopolitical crisis. Ultimately, he is faced with a the choice of serving his party’s political interests by keeping his head down, or taking a stand for what he feels is right.

Clinton wrote The President is Missing with established novelist James Patterson, who is known for titles like Alex Cross and Zoo. When it was released in 2018, the novel topped the New York Times Best Seller list. It would go on to sell a total of 2.3 million copies just in North America.

In a statement about Oyelowo joining the TV adaptation of The President is Missing, Showtime Networks President of Entertainment Gary Levine said, “David brings such enormous depth, sensitivity and power to every role he plays. Having him as our lead ensures that our series will have the exhilarating suspense of a political thriller along with the juicy complexity of a character drama.”

In tandem with starring in the series, Oyelowo will also executive produce alongside Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, Mission Impossible – Fallout), Anthony Peckham (Invictus, Sherlock Holmes), Heather McQuarrie, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout, Clinton, and Patterson. Jillian Share will serve as a co-executive producer in conjunction with Invisible Ink Productions. The show is currently in pre-production and scheduled to begin filming next year.

Showtime has yet to announce a release date for The President is Missing.