House of Cards' Kevin Spacey to play Winston Churchill in biopic

Spacey will play wartime leader in new biopic Captain of the Gate

Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood in House of Cards

Kevin Spacey is to trade The White House for 10 Downing Street when he plays wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill in biopic Captain of the Gate.

The actor has clearly got a taste for political roles, having spent the past couple of years playing devious politician Frank Underwood in Netflix's House of Cards.

Captain of the Gate will chronicle Churchill's rise to power as he defended Britain during from Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, taking in his two prime ministerial terms between 1940-45 and 1951-55.

The film has yet to find a director, with the script coming from Ben Kaplan who previously worked on a Ronal Reagan film for the History Channel.

Sierra/Affinity will produce, according to The Hollywood Reporter, with StudioCanal also reportedly in talks to come on board.

Spacey will return for a third season of House of Cards next year, but his next project will be a one-man play at The Old Vic to commemorate his 10 years as artistic director of the theatre.

Spacey will play the charismatic Prime Minister (GETTY IMAGES)

He will depict 19th century lawyer Clarence Darrow in David Rintels' play of the same name, saying he is “thrilled” at the opportunity to tread the boards at The Old Vic once again.

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