Actor Paul Bettany has signed on for his first American TV role with the Showtime pilot Masters of Sex.

Michelle Ashford (The Pacific) wrote the pilot script, which is adapted from Thomas Maier's book Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love. Paul Bettany will play William Masters, who ignited a sexual revolution through the research he performed with Virginia Johnson.

John Madden will direct the pilot episode and executive produce alongside Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Michelle Ashford, and Judith Verno.

No production schedule was given for Masters of Sex.