Steve Coogan to succeed Philip Seymour Hoffman in Showtime's "Happyish"

Eight months after the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Showtime has chosen an actor to replace him in its dark comedy series "Happyish."

British actor Steve Coogan ("Philomena") will take on the lead role in the half-hour pilot, the network said Wednesday.

"Happyish" is described by the Showtime as "a comedic, soul-searching examination of our pursuit of happiness, a pursuit that might just be the very thing causing our unhappiness in the first place."

Coogan will play Thom Payne, a 44 year-old man whose world is thrown into disarray when his 25 year-old "wunderkind" boss arrives, saying things like "digital," "social" and "viral."

"Steve's range is astounding -- he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands," "Happyish" creator Shalom Auslander said in the announcement.

The fate of "Happyish" became uncertain following Hoffman's death in February. Deadline reports that the cast of the original pilot has been released to pursue other projects, but Hoffman's co-star Kathryn Hahn has had discussions about returning.

The new pilot, with Coogan, will be filmed in New York this December.