David Milch and Michael Mann's new HBO series stars...

[J.M. Vargas]

... Dustin Hoffman in his first TV gig, "Luck": http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if65bfa5c7af6f79a21c635563c192647

The project is described as a provocative look at the worlds of horseracing and gambling told through a diverse group of characters surrounding a racetrack.

It centers on an intelligent, intuitive tough man (Hoffman) who always has been involved with gambling, from bookmaking and money laundering to casino operations.

Recently released from prison after four years, he teams with Gus Economou (Dennis Farina), his longtime chauffeur and muscle, to craft a complex plan involving the track. They recruit Turo Escalante (John Ortiz), a successful trainer with a sordid reputation.

Milch wrote the pilot, which Mann is directing. Both are executive producing with Carolyn Strauss and "The Sopranos" alum Henry Bronchtein.

The pilot is eyeing a spring production start in Los Angeles.

It's only a pilot but come on, an HBO series starring Dustin Hoffman from the makers of "Deadwood" and "Heat"? It practically sells itself.

[HGervais]

It's not TV, it's HBO.

[HGervais]

Also worth noting HBO as gone to series with its adaptation of George RR Martin's Game of Thrones.

[molly1216]

Also worth noting HBO as gone to series with its adaptation of George RR Martin's Game of Thrones.

oh mamma...that's to die for

Fantasy fanboys (and fangirls) rejoice! HBO has formally sent "Game of Thrones" to series.

The epic adaptation of George R.R. Martin's wildly complicated and politically rich fantasy series will begin production in June 2010 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the series is expected to premiere next spring.

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss adapted the pilot and HBO has ordered nine additional episodes, which are expected to tell the story that unfolds through the first book of Martin's still-developing "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.

The deep cast includes Mark Addy as spirited (but occasionally buffoonish) king Robert Baratheon, Lena Headey as the king's scheming wife Cersei Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Cersei's twin Jamie, Peter Dinklage as cynical, complicated Tyron Lannister, Sean Bean as the stubborn and noble Eddard Stark, Jennifer Ehle as Eddard's regal wife Catelyn, Tamzin Merchant as displaced royal heir Daenerys Targaryen and Jason Moamoa as the savage horseman Khal Drogo.

The cast also includes Kit Harrington, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Richard Madden, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Ron Donachie and many many more.

The pilot was directed by Tom McCarthy.

Explaining the plot of Martin's vast novel or its increasingly lengthy follow-ups would take far too long, but suffice to say it tells the story of the battle -- both violent and intellectual -- for a kingdom, pitting several rival factions each with a legitimate or illegitimate claim on the throne.

[Dave Ryan]

... Dustin Hoffman in his first TV gig, "Luck": http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if65bfa5c7af6f79a21c635563c192647

The project is described as a provocative look at the worlds of horseracing and gambling told through a diverse group of characters surrounding a racetrack.

It centers on an intelligent, intuitive tough man (Hoffman) who always has been involved with gambling, from bookmaking and money laundering to casino operations.

Recently released from prison after four years, he teams with Gus Economou (Dennis Farina), his longtime chauffeur and muscle, to craft a complex plan involving the track. They recruit Turo Escalante (John Ortiz), a successful trainer with a sordid reputation.

Milch wrote the pilot, which Mann is directing. Both are executive producing with Carolyn Strauss and "The Sopranos" alum Henry Bronchtein.

The pilot is eyeing a spring production start in Los Angeles.

It's only a pilot but come on, an HBO series starring Dustin Hoffman from the makers of "Deadwood" and "Heat"? It practically sells itself.

I believe that I just shat myself.

[HGervais]

Word has it Nick Nolte might be signing up as well.