Evan Handler to Star in CIA-Themed Digital Series

Evan Handler (“Californication”) is set to star in “The Analyst,” a digital serial being produced by Cinelan, about the CIA’s terrorism finance tracking unit. Barbara DeFina (“GoodFellas,” “You Can Count on Me”) will exec produce the project, which is based on an original story by screenwriter J.D. Zeik (“Ronin”).

“The Analyst,” which will be 10 eight-minute real-time episodes, stars Handler as Kevin Mercer, a CIA analyst targeted by an unknown enemy as he navigates the murky, dangerous world of financial espionage.

“For about 10 years in New York, before my more recent decade of comedies, I was actually a sort of go-to guy for intense dramas on stage,” said Handler. “And as Kevin Mercer, I’ll get to inhabit a world that is much darker than the ones I have played in more recent projects. J.D. is an expert at creating drama where big money, crime and international players intersect, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to explore the web of espionage he’s created.”

The project marks producer DeFina’s first foray into digital. “I am looking forward to telling ‘The Analyst’ in this new and exciting format,” she said.

Production is set to start in early next year, with the first season available by fall 2016.

Cinelan co-founders Karol Martesko-Fenster and Douglas Dicconson will serve as producers, along with Cinelan adviser Joe Cantwell.

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