Not since 2008 has a TV biopic been attemped about the father of the most successful spy franchise of all time, but now the spotlight will be on Ian Fleming, rather than James Bond. Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double, An Education) is set to play Ian Fleming in a TV drama series about the author’s life. BBC America and Sky Atlantic will co-produce the four-part drama, with Mat Whitecross directing and John Brownlow and Don MacPherson writing the scipt. The new TV biopic commemorating the popular author’s life seems to have come at a better time than ever, considering 2012 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fleming’s 007 spy franchise, as well as the release and overwhelming success of Skyfall.

Fleming (working title) will apparently take a ‘no holds barred’ look at Ian Fleming’s personal life as well as his military career, which naturally influenced the James Bond series. Of playing the role, Dominic Cooper says; “stepping into the shoes of the spy who not only created the enigmatic character of 007, but who fantasized about being him, has to be every actor’s dream.”

In other words, we’ll be seeing Ian Fleming living a shaken, not stirred, Bond-esque life, complete with ladies, charm and martinis. The drama will present the pleasure-seeking author’s life during his early days as the charismatic socialite, to his career following the start of World War II as a Naval Intelligence officer, supposedly responsible for counter intelligence missions against the Nazis. Suffice to say Mr. Fleming had a colourful life, so we’re hoping the drama can’t go too wrong, particularly with the talented Dominic Cooper on board. Executive producer Douglas Rae maintains that “Ian Fleming’s story is as dramatic and entertaining as any of the Bond films.”

It’s not the first time TV has been tempted into depicting Ian Fleming. Between 1989 and 2008 four separate drama and documentaries were created, including 1990’s Spymaker: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming, starring none other than Sean Connery’s son, Jason. Filming will commence early this year and be shot on location in the U.K and Budapest.

Do you think Dominic Cooper is a good casting call for Ian Fleming? Who would you have chosen instead? Let us know below!