CW's 'The Selection' Casts New Leading Man

The CW has found its new Prince Maxon.

Michael Malarkey has been tapped to star in the network's rebooted The Selection pilot, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

Set 300 years in the future, the drama is an epic romance centering on a young working-class woman named America Singer (Israeli actress Yael Grobglas) chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince Maxon's hand to become the nation's next queen. Balancing her loyalty to family, true love and the kingdom, she must attempt to remain true to herself as she navigates the cutthroat competition and palace intrigue, all while a budding rebellion threatens to topple the crown. It's based on the book by Kiera Cass.

Malarkey will play Maxon, the charming, self-serving and untrustworthy son of the king and queen who are not pleased with his reckless behavior. He's thrilled to have a group of young women competing for his affections and is intrigued by the feisty labor-class girl America.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Malarkey grew up in Ohio and resides in London, where he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His theater credits include London productions of The Great Gatsby, Million Dollar Quartet and Arthur. On the TV side, his credits include the Irish drama Raw.

Malarkey steps into the role played by Ethan Peck in The CW's first incarnation of its Hunger Games-ish pilot. Sean Patrick Thomas and Peta Sergeant will reprise their roles in the retooled Selection pilot.

The Vampire Diaries' Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain will pen and executive produce the Warner Bros. Television pilot, which will film in Budapest; Alex Graves will direct.

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