McKellen has been cast as "Number Two" with Jim Caviezel ("The Passion of the Christ") as "Number Six" in the new miniseries based on the original cult television show.

"The Prisoner" follows an ex-spy who awakens in a seaside village where he is being held captive and interrogated. The nameless prisoner is known only as "Number Six." For the original 1960's version of "The Prisoner," the role of "Number Two" was portrayed by a rotating cast of actors. The new six-part miniseries is slated to air in 2009.

Originally created by Patrick McGoohan, Variety reports that Bill Gallagher ("Conviction") will executive produce and write the contemporary miniseries that will pay tribute to the 1960's original.

Ian McKellen's career highlights include the Broadway productions of Amadeus and Dance of Death as well as the films "The Lord of the Rings," "Gods and Monsters," "Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men." He recently toured the U.S. in the Royal Shakespeare Company's double bill of The Seagull and King Lear, which played the Brooklyn Academy of Music last fall. McKellen was Oscar-nominated for his performances in "Gods and Monsters" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."

Caviezel is best known for playing the title role in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." His other screen credits include "Angel Eyes," "Pay It Forward," "The Thin Red Line" and "Wyatt Earp."