Sylvester Stallone to play Italian Mafia boss in TV adaptation of Mario Puzo's Omertà - the third The Godfather novel

Omertà is the third and final part in the author's mafia trilogy

After years of playing iconic characters on the big screen, Sylvester Stallone is set to appear in his first scripted TV series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the three-time Oscar nominee is finalising a deal to appear in a TV adaptation of Mario Puzo's Omertà - the third and final part of the author’s mafia trilogy, following The Godfather and The Last Don.

A network has yet to pick up the show, but sources told the trade a pilot could film this summer. The series will be shopped around US cable networks and streaming services. (If there was ever a programme that sounded ideal for Netflix, this is it.)

The first part of Mario Puzo’s trilogy was famously adapted by Francis Ford Coppola for the big screen, with the first two Godfather films receiving critical acclaim across the board.

Stallone’s last physical role was as Rocky Balboa in Creed while the actor is set to lend his voice to the new Ratchet & Clank film and upcoming animation Animal Crackers (which will also feature Emily Blunt, Danny DeVito and Ian McKellen).

The actor has previously appeared on TV in minor roles, including a detective on Kojak, and a minor role in the series Las Vegas.