'Watchmen' HBO series director confirmed

Promotional artwork for the "Watchmen" comic books.(Photo: DC Comics)

It was announced in September that the "Watchmen" franchise would be coming to television screens and is now one step closer to its TV debut as the production team comes closer to fruition.

Home Box Office's (HBO's) coming TV adaptation of "Watchmen" will be directed by Nicole Kassell, known director from "The Leftovers," as reported by Variety.

Kassell has worked with HBO before, and is notable for directing various episodes of "The Leftovers," and for her work on the Mick Jagger drama, "Vinyl." She is an experienced director responsible for other famous titles with other networks such as "Better Call Saul," "The Americans," "American Crime" and "Claws." Kassell has also directed a feature film for the Sundance Film Festival called "The Woodsman."

Kassell will find herself in familiar company during production of "Watchmen" as she is reunited with co-workers, "The Leftovers" producer, Damon Lindelof, and star Carrie Coon.

"Watchmen" is originally a comic book series by DC Comics, created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons. The series was an incredible success and received recognition worldwide in both comic book and mainstream press, winning multiple awards during its time. DC has recently released two spinoff titles, "Before Watchmen" and "Doomsday Clock," both without the involvement of the original creators, Moore or Gibbons.

A movie adaptation was released in 2009 directed by Zack Snyder. Gibbons came on as an advisor for the film project, though Moore refused to participate. The film was received with criticism for the film's portrayal of the iconic heroes, though many would defend Snyder's attempt saying the plot of "Watchmen" is too expansive to be compressed into a bumper-length film, and that it wasn't long enough to give the much-lacking depth to each of its characters.

It is not yet known how writer and producer, Lindelof, will take the TV series, whether it will build on Snyder's attempt, or reboot it and pick up from a different plot area in the comics. HBO has yet to announce production and screening dates for the upcoming TV adaptation.