Jason Statham to star in TV drama 'Viva La Madness'

Los Angeles: "Transporter" actor Jason Statham is set to star on the TV drama series "Viva La Madness" from Gaumont International Television.

The hourlong action-thriller is based on the book of the same name by JJ Connolly, a sequel to his novel "Layer Cake" which was previously adapted into a 2004 film starring Daniel Craig, reported Variety.

"The way JJ writes is so on the ball and authentic, it's hard to let any of it go. Trying to lose characters or shave down scenes every other page didn't work, we wanted it all.

"The best place was a 10 hour-plus show that lets you fully disappear into Connolly?s world," Statham, who will also executive proudce the show, said.

The series will follow an anonymous hero who is stranded in the Caribbean itching for the criminal life he left behind, even though he is still a wanted man back home.

Soon he joins forces with two robust London gangsters: the menacing Sonny King and his paranoid partner Roy 'Twitchy' Burns.

This will mark the 48-year-old actor's first starring TV role. Statham will be next seen in the action-thriller "Mechanic: Resurrection".