There was a time when television was considered a poor second cousin to movies, a place where careers went to die or those without the charismatic presence or “talent” to make it on the big screen had to make do on the small one. And then it was seen as a breeding ground for the next generation of cinema stars.

But these days, quality TV has seemingly overtaken movies, praised for its deep storytelling and well-rounded characters. Big movie types are flooding in TV – some with success (Glenn Close in legal drama Damages), some not so much (Ray Liotta with crime drama Smith).

Despite the ratings gamble, Joseph Fiennes clearly feels like the goggle box has it’s charms, particularly when he gets to play a man undergoing surgery to become a woman. And it doesn’t hurt that the creator behind the show is Ryan Murphy, who has seen success with the soapy, sharp surgical series Nip/Tuck.

US telly icon Robert Wagner is on board, playing the father of Fiennes’ Bob, who shares a gynaecological doctor’s surgery with him, while Blythe Danner will play his mother.

Once Murphy finds a wife and kids for Fiennes, he’ll start shooting the series at the end of October. Oh, and while it’s currently untitled, it used to be called 4oz. Why? Let’s just say it’s a small, but weighty matter…