Excitement builds for NBC's "Constantine" TV Series as Michael James Shaw is announced to play the role of Papa Midnite.

As Networks head into advertising season for Fall TV show premiers, NBC continues to bolster interest in its upcoming series, "Constantine." August 15th it was announced that Michael James Shaw would take on the role of Papa Midnite, a major underworld criminal leader and more importantly, an immortal voodoo practitioner.

According to Indiewire, "this could be his highest profile role yet," for the well-educated Shaw, who has studied at Juliard, Howard University, and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England.

Shaw will play Papa Midnite side by side with Welsh actor Matt Ryan who will play the series title character, demon hunter John Constantine. The relationship between the two characters shall make for some interesting conflict given that in the DC comic book series "Hellblazer,"of which the TV series draws most of its inspiration from, Constantine has never particularly liked Papa Midnite. In fact, according to USA Today, "Papa Midnite has long been a thorn in Constantine's side in the comics since his first appearance in Hellblazer No. 1 (1988)."

Shaw will definitely have his work cut out for himself as he will be the follow-up to a great performance from "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Djimon Hounsou, who played the same role in the 2005 film version of "Constantine" that also starred Keanu Reeves. Nevertheless, being cast on any TV show on a major network like NBC could be considered a career success based on the buzz it generates for you alone.

"Constantine" is set to arrive on October 24th this Fall alongside the return of NBC's other supernatural/fantasy TV series, "Grimm."  If "Constantine" the series is anything like the film version, it will no doubt draw in solid ratings to match the film's overall success.