The already star-studded cast of HBO's upcoming "Watchmen" series just added another big name to the ensemble: Jeremy Irons has joined the show.

Deadline was first to report the news, though details about Irons's role -- and the plot of the series as a whole -- are scant right now. So far, all that the trade knows about the Oscar winner's involvement is that he will be playing "an aging and imperious lord of a British Manor," and it's a leading part.

Irons joins the previously announced cast of Regina King ("The Leftovers"), Don Johnson ("Miami Vice"), Louis Gossett Jr. ("An Officer and a Gentleman"), Tim Blake Nelson ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), Adelaide Clemens ("Rectify"), and Andrew Howard ("Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."). No word yet on how many episodes are expected to be produced, though HBO has ordered a pilot and additional scripts.

This "Watchmen" series comes from "Lost" mastermind Damon Lindelof, who previously explained that it would be a "remixed" version inspired by the graphic novels, not a direct adaptation (and definitely nothing like Zack Snyder's 2009 movie). While the original "Watchmen" comics, created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, will be considered canon, this version of events will feature new characters and a contemporary setting -- and will definitely not be a sequel, according to Lindelof.

Stay tuned for more information about the mysterious project as it becomes available.

[via: Deadline]