Gabriel Byrne, who was recently seen in the horror hit Hereditary, will star in Fox Networks’ modern telly version of H.G. Wells’ seminal sci-fi story The War Of The Worlds.

Not to be confused with the BBC’s soon-to-be-released period piece version, this take comes to us from Fox Networks Europe & Africa (who will distribute in 50+ countries) and Canal+ (who will handle the broadcast in France). Howard Overman of Misfits, Crazyhead and Future Man is the showrunner.

Alongside Mr Byrne, other additions to the cast include Elizabeth McGovern (previously seen in Downton Abbey), Léa Drucker (The Man Of My Life), Natasha Little (Press), Daisy Edgar Jones (Silent Witness), Stéphane Caillard (Genius), Adel Bencherif (A Prophet) and Guillaume Gouix (The Returned).

TV Wise offers this summary of the plot:

“War Of The Worlds picks up when astronomers detect a transmission from another galaxy – definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. The world’s population waits for further contact with baited breath. They do not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out; just pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. As alien ships appear in the sky, the survivors ask a burning question – who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on our destruction?”

And this quote from executive producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy:

“We are truly excited by the major talent we have secured for War Of The Worlds. We know they will deliver exceptional performances in this contemporary and extremely relevant story reflecting our world today as we reel through strange and tumultuous times.”

As we reported last week, this version of The War Of The Worlds will film in the UK, France and Belgium. As we hear more, we’ll let you know.