Daniel Day-Lewis offered one of most lucrative deals in TV history

[kitkat]

DANIEL Day-Lewis is tipped to make his US TV debut in a historical drama from the creator of 'Downton Abbey'.

The 55-year-old, who has won rave reviews from critics for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in his latest film, has been offered one of the most lucrative deals in small-screen history to take the lead in American TV series 'The Gilded Age'.

It is loosely based on the rise of the Vanderbilt family in late 19th Century New York.

The NBC network has hired award-winning writer Julian Fellowes to create a drama telling their story and believes that Day-Lewis would be perfect to play the lead role of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.

An NBC spokesman said: "Daniel Day-Lewis is currently the only name in the hat. He is an absolute natural for a role which we believe would garner a huge audience and win big awards, as well as giving 'Downton Abbey' a run for its money in America."

But a spokesman for the Wicklow-based actor, who won Oscars for 1990's 'My Left Foot' and 2008's 'There Will Be Blood', said only: "Daniel never discusses projects in advance."

NBC passed on 'Downton Abbey' two years ago believing US audiences didn't want period dramas. But after six Emmy Awards for the ITV series, including two for creator Fellowes, US networks are now seeking rival period dramas.

However, NBC claims to be "well ahead of the pack" with 'The Gilded Age' – whose name is taken from an 1873 novel by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner which satirises greed and political corruption in post-Civil War America. Other big names of the period, including JP Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and John D Rockefeller, will be characters in the drama.

- Ken Sweeney Entertainment Editor

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http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/...y-3327570.html

[Moviefreak]

So that'll be another GG and SAG and his first Emmy lol.

[Bean]

I cannot imagine Daniel Day-Lewis starring in an NBC show.

[kitkat]

How is he going to stay in character for that long??

[Meegadeth]

If this does well in the ratings and gets multiple seasons, he may go insane if he has to stay in character for years in a row. By the end of the series he'll no longer even be Daniel anymore.

[Rage Colored Glasses]

Should be on cable.

[flibber]

This will not happen.

[Tears Of The River]

I can't see someone of his caliber, working on prime-time television.

[erikdean]

I can't see someone of his caliber, working on prime-time television.

Glenn Close just pooped a bit when she heard you say that.

[kitkat]

Yeah, he really has no reason to take this. It's not like he cares much about money since he'd rather make shoes and shit than do more movies.

[eoindaly2k11]

I would love him to do it as a miniseries because if he does a series he will not do film for like another 10 years.

[Hatshepsutely]

If this does well in the ratings and gets multiple seasons, he may go insane if he has to stay in character for years in a row. By the end of the series he'll no longer even by Daniel anymore.

I laughed way too hard at this.

[Donezo]

DDL is snatching weaves and coming for that EGOT.

[haqyunus]

I cannot imagine Daniel Day-Lewis starring in an NBC show.

This. Ew.

[crazyfists3600]

I'm ready for him to retire to television. I don't ever feel the need to watch shows nominated for Emmys.

[Donezo]

Oh I just realized this was on NBC. How can they afford to pay him??

[kitkat]

DDL is snatching weaves and coming for that EGOT.

There's easier ways to get an Emmy. Especially if you're DDL. A 2 hour HBO movie featuring him reading from a phone book would work.

[erikdean]

There's easier ways to get an Emmy. Especially if you're DDL. A 2 hour HBO movie featuring him reading from a phone book would work.

That's going to be the spoken word Grammy of his Tony-winning performance of Phone Book.

[Eduardo Zuckerberg]

The only way DDl takes this is if it's a mini-series. on HBO.

And even then he'll probably pass. He should really do a comedy for his next project.

[DirkDiggler]

lolllllllll not happening.

Not even if they payed him $50 million an episode.