When not running or overseeing three US TV series (Glee, The New Normal and American Horror Story), Ryan Murphy is filling his ample spare time with film projects. He’s wanted to bring an adaptation of Larry Kramer’s award-winning play The Normal Heart to the screen for a while now and has just locked in Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch for starring parts.

Parsons – usually found as pedantic genius Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory – and flopbuster survivor Kitsch are joining a cast that features Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo and Matt Bomer.

The Tony-winning play, which Kramer is adapting, follows the onset of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York in the 1980s. Parsons is reprising his role from the stage version as gay activist Tommy Boatwright, while Kitsch will be closeted investment banker Bruce Niles, who finds the courage to speak out about the issues.

While Murphy originally intended to make the story as a feature film, it has now switched to become an HBO TV Movie (though it may see a theatrical release overseas). It’s set to shoot later this year for a 2014 airdate across the pond.