Homeland star Damian Lewis has signed on to star in Queen of the Desert for writer-director Werner Herzog.

Nicole Kidman is attached to star as writer, explorer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell, who is credited with the formation of the Middle East in the early 20th Century. Damian Lewis is playing Lt. Colonel Charles Doughty-Wylie, an unhappily married British war hero who strikes up a torrid affair with Bell between 1913 and 1915, before he was killed in active duty at Gallipoli. Robert Pattinson and Jude Law were previously attached to star, although it isn't known if they are still involved.

Werner Herzog is directing from his own screenplay, with Cassian Elwes, Michael Benaroya and Nick N. Raslan producing. Shooting is scheduled to begin in December.

Aside from his role on Showtime's Homeland, Damian Lewis most recently starred in The Sweeney.