Colin Farrell is to star in a new four-part TV thriller from 45 Years and Weekend director Andrew Haigh, it's been announced today.

Farrell is the first cast member confirmed for Haigh's adaptation of The North Water, an acclaimed novel by Ian McGuire set in the UK and the ice floes of the Arctic during the 1850s.

The story centers on a character called Patrick Sumner, a disgraced former military man who signs up as ship’s doctor on a whaling expedition to the Arctic. Farrell will play Henry Drax, a "brutish" and "amoral" harpooner Sumner meets during the expedition.

Andrew Haigh said in today's announcement: “Casting the right leads is the most important part of any project and I’m thrilled to have Colin Farrell on board. I am a huge admirer of his work and can't wait to see him bring Drax vividly to life.”

The miniseries, due to begin filming in the fall, will comprise three hour-long episodes followed by a 90-minute finale. It will air on BBC Two in the U.K.; U.S. broadcast details have yet to be announced.

The North Water marks Farrell's first UK TV project since his break-out role in '90s drama Ballykissangel. In 2015, he returned to the small screen to star in season two of HBO's True Detective.

He'll next be seen in Tim Burton's live-action version of Dumbo, due in theaters March 29, and Toff Guys, an upcoming crime film from Guy Ritchie which co-stars Hugh Grant, Michelle Dockery, and Matthew McConaughey.

Are you excited to see Colin Farrell back on TV again?