'H&A' star to play Poe in ABC pilot

Australian actor Christopher Egan has been announced as the choice to play Edgar Allan Poe in ABC's upcoming reimagining of the historical figure.

The network will launch new drama Poe later this year, portraying the writer as a crime fighter living in Boston during the 1840s.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Egan will take on the lead part, despite his apparent lack of resemblance to the literary figure.

"We're literal about his work, but not about his looks," ABC Development Chief Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs previously said during the casting process.

Egan is best known for his role as Nick Smith on Home and Away between 2000 and 2003, as well as his more recent appearance on NBC's drama Kings.

Poe is due to launch this fall.