Michael K. Williams to star in TV drama 'Hap and Leonard'

NEW YORK, March 10 (UPI) -- Boardwalk Empire and The Wire alum Michael K. Williams is to star in the original scripted series Hap and Leonard, SundanceTV announced.

Based on Joe Lansdale's Hap and Leonard novels and short stories, the program has been picked up for six one-hour episodes to premiere in early 2016. The show was created by director/writer Jim Mickle and writer Nick Damici.

"By turns funny and shocking, Hap and Leonard provides an unpredictable and side-eyed look into race, class and friendship," the cable television network said in a news release.

Williams will play Leonard Pine, an openly gay Vietnam vet with anger issues. His best friend is Hap Collins, a white, working-class laborer who spent time in federal prison as a young man for refusing to be drafted into the military and serve in the Vietnam War, a synopsis said.

The actor who will play the role of Hap has not been announced yet.