The PlayStation Network adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis’ comic series Powers has announced Sharlto Copley as homicide detective Christian Walker, as well as Michelle Forbes in the role of Retro Girl.
 
South African actor Sharlto had a star-making turn as the lead in District 9, which led to his memorable portrayal of H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock in the big screen adaptation of The A-Team, as well as playing King Stefan opposite Angelina Jolie in Malificent.  Sharlto will star as the detective who used to be a powerful superhero who lost his powers and is now down amongst the regular humans, working homicide cases for the Powers Division, a police department formed to deal with cases involving those with (super) powers.
 
Forbes, a veteran of geek TV roles (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Battlestar Galactica, True Blood, Orphan Black), has joined the cast in the pivotal comic book role as Retro Girl.  Though in the comics the character is a teenager, Bendis, who is executive producer on the series, explained in a blog post the apparent difference in age.  "Neither Mike (Avon Oeming) nor myself were ever interested in a quote unquote faithful adaptation.  We were looking for a spiritual adaptation.  Like Dexter we were looking for the book series and the television series to exist in almost parallel universes.  They should share the same spirit but both should be allowed to explore their different mediums as far as that takes them."  Bendis went on to explain that this means even die-hard comic fans won’t know the direction the story will take.
 
The series has already announced Susan Heyward in the role of Walker’s homicide detective partner, Deena Pilgrim, as well as Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor, Olesya Rulin, Max Fowler and Adam Godley in supporting roles.
 
Sony’s PlayStation Network has moved quickly to develop the series since giving it the green light in March.  The series is planned for a 10-episode run, which will begin streaming on the digital platform in December (see "David Slade Directing 'Powers'").