'Avenue 5' currently has a pilot commitment with backup scripts at the premium cable network.

Hugh Laurie is returning to HBO.


The Emmy-nominated Veep alum has been tapped to star in Avenue 5, the space comedy from Armando Iannucci.


The project, which currently has a pilot commitment and order for backup scripts, is set in the future, mostly in space. Laurie will take on the role of Ryan Clark, the charming and in-control American captain of the Avenue 5. Iannucci created the series and will executive produce.


The casting expands Laurie's relationship with Veep creator Iannucci after the actor had a recurring guest role in the fourth season of the Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy and completed production in the writer-producer's feature film The Personal History of David Copperfield. Laurie recently wrapped production in Hulu's take on Catch-22, where he plays Major de Coverley in the six-part miniseries due in 2019.


For Laurie, the Avenue 5 role is his first series-regular part following Hulu's two-season drama Chance. The actor earned six Emmy nominations for his lead role on the Fox medical drama House, and other credits include his Emmy-nominated role on the AMC miniseries The Night Manager and appearances in the features Tomorrowland, Monsters vs. Aliens and Sense and Sensibility. Laurie is repped by WME and Hamilton Hodell.


Avenue 5 was picked up to pilot last September. It marked Iannucci's return to HBO since he exited his role as showrunner on Veep at the end of season four to spend more time at home in London. The pilot will shoot in London this year.