Sean Penn Will Lead Hulu’s New Mars Drama ‘The First’

High off their outstanding drama Emmy win, Hulu is reaching for the stars. Sean Penn will star in the streaming network’s new Mars drama from House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, becoming The First.

Per the network’s official confirmation, Oscar-winner Penn will lead eight-episode astronaut drama The First, though details of his character are curiously being kept under wraps. The series otherwise follows the first human mission to Mars and interplanetary colonization, focusing “not only on the astronauts, but also on their families and loved ones, as well as the ground team on Earth.”

House of Cards creator Beau Willimon will write the script and executive produce with producing partner Jordan Tappis for a 2018 premiere, while Willimon said of Penn’s casting:

I have such deep admiration for Sean’s immense talent and extraordinary body of work. I feel very lucky to be collaborating with an artist of his caliber.

In the meantime, Hulu has plenty more offerings for fall until a next round of The Handmaid’s Tale, including Marvel’s Runaways and Seth Rogen-Evan Goldberg dramedy Future Man. Stay tuned for the latest on The First as casting gears up.