Syfy today announced plans for a miniseries based on a classic novel by science-fiction master Arthur C. Clarke. The production, “Childhood’s End,” is set to premiere on the cable channel in 2015.

Emmy nominee Charles Dance will play the lead role of the alien overlord “Karellen.” The six-hour miniseries is a collaboration of Syfy and Universal Cable Productions.

“‘Childhood’s End’ follows the peaceful invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords,” the companies said in their announcement. “Karellen (Dance), the ambassador for the Overlords, makes first contact with Earthling Ricky Stormgren. Karellen’s comforting words and amazing technological gifts quickly win humanity’s favor, beginning decades of apparent utopia at the cost of human identity and culture. However, his refusal to reveal his physical appearance and insistence on dealing only through Ricky have some people questioning whether his intentions are truly benevolent.”

Bill McGoldrick, executive vice president, Original Content, Syfy, said in the announcement: “We are thrilled that Charles has picked ‘Childhood’s End’ following his amazing work in ‘Game of Thrones.’”

Executive producers are Akiva Goldsman (‘Lone Survivor,’ ‘A Beautiful Mind,’ ‘I Am Legend’) and Mike DeLuca (‘Captain Philips,’ ‘Moneyball,’ ‘The Social Network’).