Marvel's Inhumans Casts Game Of Thrones Alum In Lead Role

02/21/2017 02:06 pm EST

Marvel Television has cast former Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon as Maximus, the lead character in the upcoming Marvel's The Inhumans television series.

While Marvel Television and ABC's Marvel's Agents of SHIELD has been dealing with Inhumans through most of its four seasons, Marvel's The Inhumans will focus on Marvel's most popular Inhuman characters, the Inhuman Royal Family.

Maximus, often referred to as Maximus the Mad, is the brother of Black Bolt, king of the Inhumans. Maximus is described in the casting announcement as being "fiercely devoted" to the Inhuman people, their kingdom of Attilan, and his brother, though he desires the throne for himself.

Inhumans each possess special gifts granted to them after being exposed to the Terrigen Mist and undergoing Terrigenesis. Maximus's gift is subtle mind control. In addition, he is a naturally gifted scientist and inventor.

Marvel's The Inhumans is being written and executive produced by Scott Buck (Dexter). Roel Reine will direct the first two episodes, which will debut in IMAX theaters on Labor Day weekend before airing on ABC in the fall.

"Iwan's ability to be charming, roguish and still completely unexpectedly dangerous were all the different sides we needed to bring the character to life. We're thrilled to have him on board," Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb said.

"Maximus is a complex character. Likeable, charming, tragic and villainous all in the same moment, and I'm very excited to have someone of Iwan's considerable talent," said Buck.

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The Inhumans were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the pages of Fantastic Four during the early days of the Marvel Universe. The secretive civilization was genetically engineered by the alien Kree during Earth's pre-history. The Inhumans have mostly lived in seclusion in the city of Attilan, which periodically relocates to different areas on Earth and sometimes to the moon. More recently, the creation of two roving Terrigen Mist clouds have caused a sudden surge in Inhuman population and forced the Royals to leave the shadows and begin integrating with human society.

Rheon is the first casting announcement for Marvel's The Inhumans. Rheon played the vicious Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones and starred in the British series Misfits before that.