Eva Green & Josh Hartnett to Lead Showtime's PENNY DREADFUL

Showtime has officially tapped Josh Hartnett and Eva Green to make the transition to small screen for its upcoming horror series PENNY DREADFUL.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two have officially signed on to lead the series created, written and executive produced by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan (HUGO, THE AVIATOR, GLADIATOR) and executive produced by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY, SKYFALL) and Neal Street's Pippa Harris (REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, CALL THE MIDWIFE.) PENNY DREADFUL, a psychosexual horror series, features some of literature's most iconic figures, and will begin production in London this fall.

Hartnett will take on the role of 'Ethan Chandler,' a man unafraid of getting violent, who is "charming and brash but there are demons behind his eyes. He's more complicated than he likes to admit."

Green will play the lead female character 'Vanessa,' "a force to be reckoned with and the heroine of the series."

For The Hollywood Reporter's original announcement, click here.

In PENNY DREADFUL, some of literature's most famously terrifying characters - including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula - become embroiled in Victorian London. The series weaves together these classic horror origin stories as the characters grapple with their monstrous alienation. This project marks Logan and Mendes' second major collaboration, following Skyfall, their box office record-breaking James Bond film, which Mendes directed and Logan co-wrote; and their first ever collaboration for television. The project will be produced by Mendes' production company Neal Street Productions.

Critically-acclaimed, award-winning Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible, The Orphanage) will helm the first two episodes in the eight episode series order.

Photos by Sara De Boer / Retna Ltd. - Jonathan Hordle/Rex/Rex USA