HBO has officially green-lit Mark Ruffalo’s long-gestating limited series adaptation of “I Know This Much Is True,” the premium cabler announced on Thursday.
An adaptation of the 1998 Wally Lamb novel of the same name, the series is described as “an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.” Ruffalo will star as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
First put into development at HBO last year, the six-episode series will be written and directed by “Blue Valentine” and “The Light Between Oceans” helmer Derek Cianfrance.
In addition to Ruffalo, Cianfrance and Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True” is executive produced by Anya Epstein, Gregg Fienberg and FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning and Glen Basner. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof are co-EPs.
The project brings Ruffalo back to HBO after previously starring in and executive producing the Emmy-winning film “The Normal Heart.” The “Avengers” star’s only other major TV series role was on the short-lived UPN cop drama “The Beat.”