Golden Globe winner Idris Elba is set to star in Ascension, a British adventure/thriller miniseries co-created and written by Warren Ellis, Deadline reports.

A collaboration between Ellis and producer Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle), the project is perhaps predictably high concept, revolving around the history and future of astronomy and humanity's impulse for the stars. Elba, who would executive produce the miniseries, is said to be considering dual roles, that of ancient Egyptian architect/engineer/physician Imhotep and a brilliant astronomer in the near future.

Elba, who stars on BBC One's Luther, appeared most recently in The Losers, Thor and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. He'll next be seen in Prometheus and Pacific Rim.