Game Of Thrones actor Nonso Anozie has moved from his portrayal of Xaro Ahoan Daxos on the hit show, to a recurring role in the CBS adaptation of James Patterson’s novel, Zoo. The stand-alone book, co-written with Michael Ledwidge, was published in 2012 to positive reviews – many of which cited the perceived plausibility of the plot.
The earth-bound science fiction story centres on scientist Jackson Oz, who is systematically dismissed by his colleagues in the fields of ecology and biology after focusing years of research on animals attacking humans. Believing there to be an increasing pattern, Oz travels to Botswana, where he manages to survive a large-scale lion attack. Teaming with fellow survivor, and former diplomat, Chloe Tousignant, he works to uncover why the animal world has begun what is seemingly a united effort to remove humans from the ecosystem completely.
With James Wolk (Mad Men, The Crazy Ones) in the role of Oz, and Nora Arnezeder (Safe House) cast as Chloe, Nonso Anozie will join the show as Botswanan safari operator, Abraham. His character will prove invaluable in the urgent work of Oz, thanks to his experience of the animal world and his deep empathy for humanity.
Zoo was ordered straight to series by CBS, which has ensured the episodes will get a second airing on Netflix, as part of a lucrative deal negotiated between the network and the streaming service, specifically for this drama. Netflix has committed to making Zoo available to its members once the first season has been broadcast on CBS in its entirety, during the course of the summer in 2015.
The adaptation will be written by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (both of whom wrote the recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie), Jeff Pinkner (Fringe and The Amazing Spider-Man 2), and Scott Rosenberg (the U.S version of Life On Mars). Brad Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist, Fringe) is set to direct.
This collection of talents, coupled with Patterson’s source material, suggests that Zoo will strike a very specific, unsettling tone. Each of these creators is as skilled in action and large-scale set-pieces as they are in intimate character development – which means that Zoo might just be the television hit of next summer.
