David Oyelowo Joins The President Is Missing

The new Showtime drama series The President Is Missing has cast Emmy and Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo (Selma) in the lead role.

Based on the novel by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson, The President Is Missing follows a powerless and politically aimless vice president (Oyelowo), who unexpectedly becomes president halfway into his administration’s first term and finds himself facing a secret, world-threatening crisis. In the midst of scandal and conspiracy, he has to choose between toeing the party line to survive and taking a stand.

Showtime has ordered a pilot for The President Is Missing, which is currently in preproduction and scheduled to shoot in 2020. Academy Award winner Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), Anthony Peckham (Invictus), Heather McQuarrie and Oyelowo will executive produce the series. Peckham is writing the adaptation.

Gary Levine, co-president of entertainment for Showtime Networks, 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.”