JK Simmons To Star In Sci-fi Series For Amazon

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) is set as the co-lead opposite fellow Oscar winner Sissy Spacek (The Coal Miner’s Daughter) in Amazon’s genre-bending drama series Lightyears, a co-production between Amazon Studios and Legendary Television. Simmons replaces Ed O’Neill (Modern Family) who was originally cast as the male lead in the project but exited for family reasons.

Written and co-executive produced by Holden Miller, Lightyears follows Franklin and Irene York, played by Simmons and Spacek, a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded their secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the Yorks’ quiet existence is quickly upended…and the mysterious chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could ever have imagined.

Simmons’ Franklin is a former woodworker with a charmingly grumpy demeanor. After more than 50 years of marriage, Franklin still has a powerful devotion to his wife but doesn’t share her fascination with the chamber, a secret which weighs heavily on him. For her sake, he is willing to endure its presence in their lives, but his patience appears to be wearing thin.

Daniel C. Connolly (The Son) serves as showrunner. He executive produces with Mosaic’s Jimmy Miller (The Stand) and Sam Hansen (Weird City). Philip Martin  is executive producer and producing director for Season 1. Juan José Campanella (The Weasel’s Tale) will direct and executive produce the first two episodes of the series, scheduled to begin filming later this year.

This year, Simmons will star alongside Chris Pratt (Jurassic World) in Amazon Prime Video’s sci-fi thriller film The Tomorrow War. Simmons, who voices Omni-Man, the father of Mark Grayson (voiced by Oscar nominee Steven Yeun) the titular character of  new Prime Video animated series Invincible, was recently seen starring in Palm Springs alongside Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti and heavily recurred in the Apple TV+ miniseries Defending Jacob, starring Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger). Simmons previously headlined the praised Starz series Counterpart.

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