Stephen Mangan to star in ITV's 'Houdini & Doyle' series

Stephen Mangan and Michael Weston are to star in the 10-part, supernatural crime drama series Houdini & Doyle, ITV announced.

Executive produced by House creator David Shore, the program about early 20th century illusionist Harry Houdini and mystery writer Arthur Conan Doyle is to premiere in the United Kingdom on ITV Encore next year. It was written and created by Shore's long-time collaborator David Hoselton and David Titcher.

The program also will air on Global in Canada and in the United States on Fox.

"Harry Houdini: master magician, escape artist, born penniless and now the highest paid performer in the world and he wants everyone to know it. He refuses to believe in the paranormal. As a professional magician and master of illusion, he knows there's nothing supernatural about magic. To him, everything unexplained is a trick, a gimmick, or a fraud," a news release said.

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the creator of the greatest detective of all time -- Sherlock Holmes -- but is also a passionate believer in the paranormal. Because, having lost someone very close to him, he desperately wants to find a way of communicating with them. This fundamental difference between the two men leads to conflict... and humor... and competition. High-minded competition in the pursuit of the truth and ridiculous petty competition because they're... guys. But despite all this, they need each other. Doyle needs Houdini because he is gullible. Houdini needs Doyle because he is wrong."