AceShowbiz -

Following his big Oscar win, J.K. Simmons is heading back to the small screen. The 60-year-old actor is set to headline Starz's upcoming sci-fi drama "Counterpart", which was created and written by Justin Marks (Disney's "The Jungle Book").

According to Deadline, the new series is described as "an espionage thriller with a metaphysical twist." Simmons will play Howard Silk, "a lowly cog in a bureaucratic UN agency who is turning the last corner of a life filled with regret, when he discovers the agency he works for is guarding a secret: a crossing to a parallel dimension. Through Howard and his 'Counterpart' on the other side, Prime, the show will navigate themes of identity, idealism, what ifs, and lost love."

"The Imitation Game" helmer Morten Tyldum will direct the first two episodes. Words are, the cable channel will order two seasons of "Counterpart", like it did with Patrick Stewart-starring comedy "Blunt Talk". Simmons, Marks and Tyldum will executive produce the series along with Bard Dorros & Keith Redmon of Anonymous Content, and Jordan Horowitz & Gary Gilbert of Gilbert Films.

Prior to portraying music instructor Terence Fletcher in "Whiplash", the role which earned him an Academy Award, Simmons is known for starring on some TV series like NBC's "Law & Order", TNT's "The Closer" and HBO's prison drama "Oz". He also starred as J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy.