Clarke Peters (Da 5 Bloods) has joined the cast of Showtime’s The Man Who Fell to Earth. He will co-star alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Naomi Harris (Moonlight), via Deadline. 

The Man Who Fell to Earth is an adaptation of the 1976 science fiction film under the same name. Revered as a cult classic film, it starred David Bowie (Labyrinth) as an alien who crashes down into earth and proceeds to go on a surreal journey of discovery. The story’s origins come from the 1963 novel of the same name written by  Walter Tevis (The Queen’s Gambit, The Hustler). 

Ejiofor is now slated to star in the series as the alien who falls down into earth. Harris will co-star as Justin Falls, an engineer and scientist. Additionally, Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) will portray CIA Agent Spencer Clay. Originally set to be a Paramount+ production, it was announced in March that the series would be moving permanently to the Showtime network. It will air on Showtime exclusively sometime in 2022. 

Peters will be portraying Josiah Falls, father to Harris’s Justin. His character is described as a, “gifted scientist and engineer whose surprising relationship with Ejiofor’s alien brings about the next step in human evolution,” as reported by Deadline.

With a career in film and television spanning multiple decades, one of Peters best known roles is his portrayal of Detective Lester Freamon in the acclaimed HBO crime drama The Wire. Most recently, Peters starred in Spike Lee’s (Do The Right Thing) war film Da 5 Bloods as Vietnam veteran Otis. 

The Man Who Fell to Earth is written and executive produced by Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek) and Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married). They are also the series showrunners, with Kurtzman set to direct numerous episodes. They pair will co-executive produce alongside John Hlavin (Shooter), Sarah Timberman (Unbeliveable), Heather Kadin (Clarice), and Carl Beverly (SEAL Team).