Joe Exotic drama series casts John Cameron Mitchell as the Tiger King star

An upcoming drama series has found its actor to portray Joe Exotic.

The story of the infamous Joe Exotic, full name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, and his rivalry with Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin captivated the world with the release of Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness last year.

Exotic is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for two counts of attempted murder-for-hire of Baskin, along with 17 federal charges of animal abuse.

Now a new limited drama series from NBC, which will air across the channel, USA Network and streaming service Peacock, has found the actor who will portray Joe Exotic.

Variety revealed on Monday that Hedwig and the Angry Inch co-creator and star John Cameron Mitchell has been cast in the role of the eccentric former zookeeper and convicted criminal.

Mitchell told the publication of his casting: “I’m thrilled to take on the role of this modern folk antihero.

“Joe and I are the same age and like him, I grew up queer in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas so I feel like I know a little bit about this guy and his desperate attempt to conquer an inhospitable world.”

Mitchell is also known for directing the films Shortbus and How to Talk to Girls at Parties.

He has also had guest roles in series such as Lena Dunham’s comedy series Girls and legal drama The Good Fight.

Meanwhile, Steve O’Neill, the executive vice president of casting and talent development for producer UCP, said: “We are so excited to have John Cameron Mitchell, an adored icon of the LGBTQ community, take on this compelling role.

“His casting speaks to our ongoing vision of universal storytelling, and we can’t wait for our audiences to experience the show.”

It was previously revealed that Saturday Night Live and The Spy Who Dumped Me star Kate McKinnon would be taking on the role of Exotic’s long-time rival, Carole Baskin.

McKinnon is also serving as an executive producer on the series, which currently has the working title of ‘Joe Exotic’.

This is not the only project in the works to star an acclaimed actor as Joe Exotic, with Variety reporting last year that Nicolas Cage is due to play Exotic in a new drama series for Imagine Television Studios and CBS.