Who knew HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET’s Det. Frank Pembleton was such a genre-film guy! With a plum role in Frank Darrabont’s THE MIST and previous parts in such genre offerings as TNT’s SALEM’S LOT mini-series, and the comic book actioner FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, Braugher will next tackle alien microbes in A&E’s mini-series version of THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN. Based on Michael Crichton’s 1968 novel, the new version uses 40 years of medical and scientific breakthroughs to update the original tale, which was first filmed in 1971 by Robert Wise (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL). Joining Braugher are Benjamin Bratt (CATWOMAN), Christa Miller, Eric McCormack, and Rick Schroeder. Ridley and Tony Scott are producing the series; directing is Mikael Salomon (SALEM’S LOT) from Robert Shenkkan’s teleplay. The four-hour mini was originally pitched to the Sci-Fi Channel back in 2004, but proved too rich for their blood. Filming has already begun in Vancouver, B.C.