Daniel Dae Kim Lands His First-Ever Lead Role With ‘The Hot Zone’

The Korean American actor, 52, will star alongside Tony Goldwyn in the six-episode show, which will begin principal photography in Toronto next winter.

 

“Anthrax” is set in 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. The thriller unfolds as letters containing the infectious, bacterial disease are sent to unsuspecting victims in Florida, New York and Washington, D.C.

The anonymous assault kills five and leaves 17 others ill, Variety noted. USAMRIID scientists, FBI agents and Justice Department personnel join forces and close in on a shocking prime suspect.

Kim will take on the role of Matthew Ryker, an FBI agent specializing in microbiology. Three weeks after 9/11, Matthew will risk his career “to convince his superiors of the unthinkable, that the United States is under attack again.”

Goldwyn, on the other hand, will play the role of Bruce Ivins, a brilliant microbiologist who becomes embroiled in the search for the anthrax suspect. While working closely with the FBI, Bruce’s “growing instability and paranoia give way to even deeper and unnerving discoveries.”

“Tony and Daniel are both wonderfully versatile and dimensional actors who will bring complexity and depth to these characters,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of scripted and documentary films at National Geographic. “We can’t wait for their star turns in this startling, authentic and timely scientific thriller.”

Last year’s “The Hot Zone,” starring Julianna Margulies, was National Geographic’s most-watched scripted series of all time. Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson will return as showrunners and executive producers for “Anthrax.”

“Tony Goldwyn and Daniel Dae Kim have such tremendous depth as actors and are the perfect duo to dive into the twists and turns of the deadly attacks that sent the country into panic,” they said.

Born in South Korea, Kim has credits in over 80 productions, his most recent being the voice of Mr. Hong in the television series “The Casagrandes,” according to IMDb.

Feature Images via National Geographic (left) and Daniel Dae Kim (right)