Neill, Bean join cast of TV's 'Crusoe'

BURBANK, Calif., May 22 (UPI) -- Sam Neill, Sean Bean and Joss Ackland have joined the cast of "Crusoe," the U.S. TV series based on Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe," NBC said Thursday.

"Crusoe" finds the resourceful title character of Defoe's classic adventure tale after he has spent many years as a castaway on a desert island with his companion Friday. Actor Philip Winchester will play the title role, but the character of Friday has not yet been cast.

NBC said the series is to follow the adventures of the two island dwellers while it also looks in flashback at Crusoe's life before he was thrown into an isolated existence filled with danger and adventure.

The series is due to film in the United Kingdom, South Africa and the Seychelles.

Neill is best known for his roles in "Jurassic Park," "The Piano" and "The Tudors." Bean has starred in "Scarlett," "The Lord of the Rings" and "Troy." Ackland has appeared in more than 100 movies, including "Lethal Weapon 2."