PENNY DREADFUL’s Harry Treadaway Is Stephen King’s MR. MERCEDES

It's been a while since we discussed it, but you'll recall that DirecTV and AT&T U-verse have been putting together their very own Stephen King adaptation, based on King's 2015 novel Mr. Mercedes.

The series, directed by LOST's Jack Bender and scheduled to roll out in 2018, had previously hired Brendan Gleeson and Anton Yelchin to star. Unfortunately, Yelchin was killed in a tragic accident back in May, and in the time since it's been unclear what might happen to Mr. Mercedes. Today, we learned that it's full steam ahead, with a new actor stepping into Yelchin's role.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Penny Dreadful's Harry Treadaway is taking on Yelchin's titular role, that of a murderous ice cream truck driver caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse with an over-the-hill police detective (that'd be Gleeson).

And now for the dueling shameful confessions: I have not gotten around to reading Mr. Mercedes yet, nor have I watched Penny Dreadful. My understanding is that both are very good, which is nice to hear, but my lack of experience with either leaves me with no opinion on this casting decision.

Perhaps the more informed amongst you can weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments below. If you need me, I'll be moving Mr. Mercedes and Penny Dreadful up a few slots on my to-do list.