Ben Affleck to Direct Mob Drama Pilot for Fox

Acclaimed director Ben Affleck is taking his talents to the small screen.

The two-time Oscar winner is set to direct the pilot for the Fox period drama The Middle Man, the network announced Friday. 

This marks the first TV directing gig for Affleck, who is also executive-producing the project with writer Glenn Gordon Caron.

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The Middle Man is set in 1960s Boston and centers on Rudy MacAteer, an FBI agent tasked with taking down the Italian mafia, and his confidential informant, Irish-American mobster Mickey Flood. MacAteer's efforts inadvertently give rise to the Irish mob, as he finds himself beginning to bend the rules he is governed by.

Casting is expected to begin right away, and production will kick off in early 2014. Deadline first reported the news.

Affleck, who recently made headlines when he was cast as Batman in the upcoming Man of Steelsequel, has directed three films, including the Boston-set Gone Baby Gone and The Town. Caron is best known for creating Moonlightingand Medium. Chay Carter will also serve as an executive producer.