Fringe star Joshua Jackson is to appear in a film version of the UK TV series UFO.

The 31-year-old actor will appear in the film adaptation of the show that will be directed by the visual effects star Matthew Gratzner.

Jackson will play the role of Paul Foster, a test pilot who joins S.H.A.D.O. (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization), which is a covert organisation built to defend Earth against aliens.

The series was a hit on UK TV in the seventies and the movie adaptation will be produced by Henri M. Kessler and Avi Haas.

Gratzner said to Variety: “Character development is the most critical part of UFO and Joshua’s terrific talent and range is exactly what I need to convey the inner conflict of the character of Paul Foster.”