Having played Captain Picard in seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and four feature films, Patrick Stewart has taken a role in a modern-era thriller with scientific elements, though both the star and an ITV spokesperson said that the miniseries is not science fiction.

Manchester Online reported that Stewart will receive £4.5 million to star in the Manchester drama Eleventh Hour, playing Professor Alan Hood, an expert called upon by the government to counteract scientific disasters. Filming will begin in may on the four-parter, written by Stephen Gallagher.

"I'm delighted to be part of this project," said Stewart, who noted that it was the first time he would work for producer Granada since he was in Coronation Street 38 years ago. In addition to his famous role as Picard, Stewart plays another scientific-minded professor in the X-Men franchise. Gallagher told Brand Republic that he had had some concerns that the X-Men 3 shooting schedule might conflict with his planned miniseries, but said Stewart had worked it into his schedule.

"In Patrick, I'm getting exactly what I always wanted for Hood -- a mature, vigorous, heroic figure of visible intelligence and sensitivity. This would be a real champagne moment for any writer," added the writer.

It has not yet been announced when the miniseries will be broadcast by ITV, nor whether it will be available in other regions. More information is available from Manchester Online and Brand Republic.

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