March 13, 2014 - 18:49 AMT
Emmy-nommed Bill Paxton joins star-studded "Texas Rising" series

History Channel is taking on another historical conflict for its next miniseries project. Following the success of "Hatfields & McCoys", the network teams up once again with Leslie Greif who produced the 2012 miniseries to bring "Texas Rising", which revolves around the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers, AceShowbiz reported.

The upcoming eight-hour miniseries has Emmy-nominated Bill Paxton, who took one of the lead roles on "Hatfields & McCoys", in the cast ensemble. The former Randall McCoy depicter will play Sam Houston, the father of Texas.

He is joined by Chad Michael Murray, Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Thomas Jane, Olivier Martinez, Michael Rapaport and Max Thieriot in the all-star cast. "One Tree Hill" alum Murray will play Mirabeau Lamar, a spirited Texas soldier who helps win the battle of San Jacinto.

"The Mummy" actor Fraser will star as Billy Anderson, a Texas Ranger with Comanche Indian ties. "GoodFellas" star Liotta takes the role of Lorca, an Alamo survivor seeking brutal revenge. "Watchmen" hunk Morgan will be seen as "Deaf" Smith, a deaf and grizzled veteran Texas Ranger with an advanced case of consumption.

Former "Hung" star Jane is cast as James Wykoff, a homesteader who finds himself living in the middle of hostile Indian territory. "Dark Tide" actor Martinez will play President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the tyrant dictator of Mexico.

Michael Rapaport, who has a role on "Justified", will star as Sgt. Ephraim Knowles, a would-be deserter and coward turned hero. "Bates Motel" actor Thieriot, meanwhile, will portray Jack Hays, a volunteer freedom fighter who becomes the youngest Texas Ranger.

Greif writes part one of the miniseries with Darrell Fetty and Ted Mann, the latter of whom co-wrote "Hatfields & McCoys". Greif and Fetty also write Nights two, three and four. Roland Joffe ("Bill Brand", "There Be Dragons") is on board as director for the project, which eyes a 2015 premiere.

History exec vp and GM Dirk Hoogstra says, "The Texas Revolution is one of the most gut-wrenching and inspirational events in our history. Doing the story justice will be a massive undertaking and we're excited to begin production with one of the best teams in the business."