Chris O'Dowd to make Broadway debut alongside James Franco

Like Franco, O'Dowd first made his name on the small screen

Irish comedian Chris O'Dowd is to make his Broadway debut next year alongside Hollywood star James Franco.

The pair will play migrant field workers in the stage version of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.

O'Dowd will play Lennie in the revival, to open at New York's Longacre theatre in March 2014.

Franco's role as George in the Great Depression drama - to be directed by 2008 Tony winner Anna D Shapiro - was announced in March.

George and the learning-impaired Lennie are long-term friends who share a dream of owning their own ranch.

Steinbeck's adaptation of his 1937 novel has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years.

O'Dowd is best known for his role in Channel 4's The IT Crowd and also appeared in the hit comedy Bridesmaids.

He has also starred in BBC Two's Family Tree and Sky One's Moone Boy, which won an International Emmy for best comedy on Monday.