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Idris Elba love interest for 'Big C' Laura Linney

By April MacIntyre Jun 13, 2010, 18:16 GMT

US actor Martin Lawrence (L) and UK actor Idris Elba (R) chat courtside at the Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, California, USA 02 March 2010. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Idris Elba will join the cast on Showtime's new dramedy "The Big C," starring Laura Linney.

Elba has signed on as a guest star in four episodes of the new noir comedy series The Big C, premiering August 16th at 10:30p PT/ET.

Elba is cast as “Lenny,” a painter who forms a relationship with headliner Laura Linney. The 13-episode series is currently shooting in Stamford, Connecticut.

A UK native, Elba won critical notice for his role as Russell “Stringer” Bell on the HBO’s “The Wire.“

Elba was cast last season on the NBC series, “The Office.” He is currently starring as the lead in the UK series, “Luther” for the BBC which has garnered some of the strongest reviews in some time.

On film he has starred n "Rocknrolla," "American Gangster" and "Obsessed."

Premise

The Big C is the story of Cathy (Linney), a repressed suburban teacher, wife and mother who reclaims her life after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Oliver Platt stars as her immature, but well-meaning husband. Gabourey Sidibe plays a mouthy student in Cathy’s class.

The series was created and written by Darlene Hunt, who serves as executive producer, along with Showrunner Jenny Bicks, Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon.