FX is adding a new drama series to its roster from Homeland producers Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff.  The network announced today (via THR) that it has ordered Tyrant to series, scheduling it for a summer 2014 debut.  The story revolves around an American family that is drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation, and producers aimed high when crafting the pilot.  Ang Lee was initially signed on to direct the first episode, but he subsequently backed out citing exhaustion over the very long post-production and awards campaign process on Life of Pi.  In his stead, producers nabbed Harry Potter director David Yates to helm the pilot.

Production on Tyrant will begin in earnest this coming March in Tel Aviv and the show will debut next summer alongside Guillermo del Toro’s The Strain.  The cast for Tyrant includes Adam Rayner, Jennifer Finnigan, Ashraf Barhom, and Justin Kirk.