NBC has released the first official image of their new Constantine TV series pilot star Matt Ryan in character as John Constantine.
 
"I’ve been a fan of John Constantine since he was first introduced in 1985," said executive producer David S. Goyer.  "This Constantine, envisioned by Neil Marshall and embodied by Matt Ryan, looks like he sprang directly from the comics’ covers.  Fans old and new are going to be in for a treat."
 
The show synopsis appears to be sticking pretty close to the character’s roots: "Constantine follows enigmatic and irreverent Liverpool con-man-turned-occult-detective John Constantine, who is reluctantly thrust into the role of defending our world against dark forces from beyond."
 
It will help the authenticity quite a bit that star Matt Ryan (Layer Cake, The Tudors, Torchwood) is a UK native.
 
For more information on this fast-moving project, see "'Constantine' Cast Assembled."