SEAL Team Creator’s New Max Series Casts Lost Star

Actor Matthew Fox, best known for his iconic role as Jack Shepherd on the ABC hit Lost, has been cast as the lead in the Max drama series The Assassin. As per a report by Deadline, the series is based on the book series by British novelist Tom Wood, and is being developed by John Glenn, who has served as the showrunner on the popular series’ SEAL Team and Allegiance. Wood’s book series, known as the Victor the Assassin series, began in 2011 with The Killer, and currently totals 11 novels, with a 12th due in November.

The books tell the story of a world-class assassin known only as Victor (to be played by Fox in the series), who goes on the run when he is betrayed by an anonymous client. Not only is he being hunted by his enemies, the CIA and a contract killer are after him as well. While trying to stay alive and discover the identity of his betrayer, Victor begins to rediscover his own humanity, something he had long ago tried to bury. Described as a thriller mixed with elements of The Fugitive and John Wick,The Assassin is still in the development stage, and no additional casting or a timeframe for production has been announced.

Lost

4/5

Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.

Release Date

September 22, 2004

Seasons

6

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Fox is best known for his leading role in Lost. Created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber, the series tells the story of a group of survivors after they crash on a mysterious island. As they attempt to find their way home, they discover the island itself has unusual, almost supernatural characteristics. The series premiered in 2004 and ran for six seasons and 121 episodes, winning 10 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2005.

When he was cast in Lost, Fox was already a familiar face, thanks to his role in the Fox drama Party of Five. The cultural phenomenon that Lost became, however, made Fox a superstar. Fox earned a Primetime Emmy nomination (2010) and a Golden Globe nomination (2006), both for Best Actor in a TV Series Drama, and two People’s Choice Award nominations.

Matthew Fox’s Career After Lost

After Lost ended in 2010, Matthew Fox struggled to find the right roles. He played against type (and portrayed an assassin) in the thriller Alex Cross in 2012 as “Picasso,” who matched wits with Tyler Perry’s Cross. Unfortunately, the film was a flop despite Fox’s dedication, but his next film, the 2013 zombie flick World War Z, was a huge hit. However, prior to release, the Brad Pitt actioner underwent significant rewrites and a completely reshot third act, reducing his major role to only a brief cameo. Sequels were planned that would have expanded his role, but sadly they were never made.

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Fox would go on to star in the films Extinction and the modern cult-classic cannibal western Bone Tomahawk in 2015, before taking a seven-year break from acting after avoiding charges in an incident in which he was accused of violence against a bus driver (he denied the allegations). He returned to acting in 2022 with the Peacock series Last Light, and last year, appeared in the Australian comedy series C*A*U*G*H*T with Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, and Travis Fimmel.