Sean Astin Signs on to FX Thriller THE STRAIN

Executive producer Carlton Cuse turned toTwitter yesterday to announce the news that "The Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin has signed on to the cast of FX's THE STRAIN, a pilot based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy from Guillermo del Toro and author Chuck Hogan. The actor joins previously announced cast members Corey Stoll, Kevin Durand, Mia Maestro, Richard Sammel, Lauren Lee Smith, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, and John Hurt on the project.

The thriller centers on Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. When Eph realizes that this isn't some new bioterror weapon, but something much older, something outside the reach of science, he teams with Abraham to fight back. As a plague of hungry and intelligent predators overwhelms New York, Eph, Abraham and a motley crew of everyday New Yorkers form a ragtag resistance - fighting monsters in the streets and in their homes, waging a war for the fate of humanity itself.

Del Toro will helm the pilot and co-write the script along with Hogan. 'Lost's Carlton Cuse will serve as showrunner should the pilot get picked up to series. Hogan and Gary Ungar will also serve as Executive Producers.