The Avatar actress has won the lead role in Political Animals, which focuses on a former First Lady and her family after her time in the White House and her marriage comes to an end.

It will be the first major role in a TV series for Weaver, who began her career in theatre before shooting to fame in the Alien sci-fi franchise.

Her only previous ventures to the small screen have been minor roles in TV series and appearances in several made-for-TV movies.