Lindsay Farris will play the role of a piano prodigy in the new drama for the HBO network.

Young Australian pianist and actor Lindsay Farris has landed a career-defining role in a new HBO produced show, Virtuoso. Set in the 18th Century, the period drama tells the story of a group of talented classical musicians from across Europe who are enrolled at a prestigious musical academy. Farris, who studied piano at the Central Coast Conservatorium in NSW before focusing on honing his acting skills at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts Young Actors Studio, will play the role of Heinrich, an Austrian piano prodigy.

Only a pilot for the new drama series has been commissioned so far, but the programme has some significant backing: Elton John and David Furnish’s production company Rocket Pictures have been secured as executive producers, and the world famous couple have also had significant input into the plot of the show. Alan Ball, the acclaimed writer-producer behind the hugely successful HBO property True Blood has been confirmed as the script-writer for the show and Lebanese actor Peter Macdissi, who most notably played recurring character Olivier Castro-Staal on the HBO drama Six Feet Under will also...