Marvel comic book adaptations are populating both the big and small screens. Today’s news focuses on Legion, an X-Men spin-off for television, and the show’s cast. Legion will tell the story of David Haller (Professor X’s son in the comic books), a man struggling with mental illness that could actually be a manifestation of his superpowers.

FX president John Landgraf revealed that the series will take place in a parallel universe to the one in the X-Men films, so they will practically be two different stories.

The production of a pilot episode will begin next month for release on FX. Earlier this month, the production found its female lead in Fargo’s Rachel Keller. Her official description:

Self-sufficient and street smart, Syd uses her sharp and prickly demeanor to protect her soft core, because even though it makes her a sucker and puts her at risk, she still believes in happily ever after.

Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza, and Jean Smart join Legion

Three more major characters have been cast. Dan Stevens plays David Haller, Aubrey Plaza plays Lenny, and Jean Smart plays Melanie.

In case you’re wondering what these characters about, here are their official descriptions:

David: Diagnosed as schizophrenic at a young age, David is a haunted man who is trying to find his way back to sanity. He's getting tired, and is about to give up, when he meets the girl of his dreams.

Lenny: David's friend, who, despite a life of drug and alcohol abuse, knows that any day now her life is gonna turn around. This gives Lenny the likable energy of the impossible optimist, despite her rough demeanor.

MELANIE: A nurturing, demanding therapist, with a sharp mind and unconventional methods.

Stevens played Matthew Crawley in Downtown Abbey for three years (25 episodes); Plaza starred in Parks and Recreation; and Smart was in Fargo.

Noah Hawley is directing the pilot and to date everything looks good. We look forward to more information about the pilot’s development.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter