Jim Gaffigan will portray Rob Ford in upcoming AMC series

In a recent announcement made by television network AMC, an upcoming limited series is in progress that will cast comedian Jim Gaffigan to play former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, according to Variety.

The series will be written and produced by Jesse McKeown alongside Ed Helms and Mike Falbo, who will be executive producing through their Pacific Electric Picture Co. banner. It will be directed by Michael Dowse.

The plot will centre around the rise and fall of Rob Ford's scandalous reign as mayor of Toronto, which spanned from 2010 to 2014. Prior to his role as mayor, Ford served as a city councillor for many years. He became internationally famous after a video surfaced of him smoking crack with friends. The video was made public during his reelection campaign.

A similar film entitled Run This Town, was screened at SXSW last year with actor Damian Lewis playing Ford. However should this project be completed, it would be the first onscreen depiction of the former mayor.

Jim Gaffigan is best known for his stand-up specials such as Beyond the Pale, King Baby, Mr. Universe, Obsessed, Cinco and Noble Ape. In recent years, Gaffigan has taken on more dramatic roles, in films like American Dreamer, Above the Shadows and Light from Light.

Writer and producer McKeown was previously writing got The Sinner, a USA Network drama as well as the Canadian comedy sensation Letterkenny.

Dowse is set to direct, previously he has directed the Canadian cult-classic Goon, in addition to directing selected episodes of TV series such as Man Seeking Woman, Preacher and The Foundation.