April 6 (UPI) -- Unbroken and Skins alum Jack O'Connell is set to star in the BBC's adaptation of Ian McGuire's mystery-adventure novel, The North Water.
Andrew Haigh -- whose credits include Lean on Pete, Looking and Weekend -- wrote and will direct the four-part thriller, which takes place in the 19th century in the United Kingdom and the ice floes of the Arctic.
O'Connell will play Patrick Sumner, "a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as ship's doctor on a whaling expedition to the Arctic," a BBC news release said.
He will act opposite the previously announced Colin Farrell, who will play amoral harpooner Henry Drax.
"Jack is a fiercely instinctual actor who brings nuance and complexity to every character he plays. I can't wait to see him bring Patrick Sumner to life," Haigh said in a statement.
Filming is slated to begin in the fall.