Gerard Depardieu, one of France's most revered, prolific and scandal-prone actors, is is in talks to play a role similar to Kevin Spacey's Francis Underwood in "Marseille," Netflix's first French-language production.

The info was first reported by The Independent.

"Marseille" centers around Robert Taro, mayor of the Southern French city for 25 years. The coming elections have him face the man he chose as his heir, an ambitious youngster aiming high. Both candidates will fight mercilessly.

The series, created and penned by Dan Franck ("Carlos"), comprises eight episodes. It's produced and repped in international markets by Pascal Breton's Federation Entertainment.

The first two episodes of "Marseille" will be directed by Florent-Emilio Siri, director of the Cesar-nominated theatrical hits "My Way" (Cloclo) and "L'Ennemi intime. " Samuel Benchetrit ("J'ai toujours reve d'etre un gangster") will also be directing episodes.

With a career spanning 45 years, Depardieu still makes headlines around the world for his on- and off-screen performances. In 2014, the actor toplined Abel Ferrara's controversial "Welcome to New York," a film inspired by the infamous Dominique Strauss-Kahn's rape case, which was launched by Wild Bunch during Cannes Film Festival.

This year, Depardieu was back at the fest -- this time in competition -- with Guillaume Nicloux' "Valley of Love," which drew a rowdy standing ovation following its official screening.