Common Nabs Role in AMC's Hell on Wheels

With two hit feature films (Date Night, Just Wright) already under his belt for the year, Common is gearing up for his first lead role on television with AMC’s period drama pilot Hell on Wheels. The show, set in the American West, focuses on the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

According to Deadline Hollywood, the talented rapper/actor will portray Elam, a biracial freed slave looking to work on the railroad. Due to his mixed race heritage, Elam considers himself to be outcast from both blacks and whites.

AMC feels the Grammy-winning MC is able to bring a “layered intensity” to the complex role of Elam. Says Joel Stillerman, AMC’s Senior Vice President of Programming, “This part required someone who can transcend the stereotypes of the period and bring the character to life in a truly unique way, and he brings that.”

Given the lack of Westerns being made for television today, Hell on Wheels would surely stand out, especially with its depiction of an American West told from the unique point of view of an ex-slave. Here’s to hoping the pilot gets picked up after filming wraps in August.