Lance Armstrong’s meteoric rise and catastrophic fall has already been covered in two well-received documentaries – from Alex Holmes and Alex Gibney – but now he’s getting the biopic treatment in The Program.

The first trailer for the drama, from Stephen Frears, has landed and shows Ben Foster in the lead role as the disgraced cyclist, with Chris O’Dowd playing David Walsh, the journalist who uncovers his deceit.

It’s inspired by Walsh’s book, Seven Deadly Sins, and the script comes from John Hodge, best known for Trainspotting and The Sweeney. The cast also includes Dustin Hoffman, Guillaume Canet and Lee Pace.

It will be Foster’s biggest role to date following a series of low-key projects, including Ain’t Them Bodies Saints and Kill Your Darlings. He’s also aiming for multiplex domination with next year’s big-budget adventure Warcraft.

The Program will get an awards-friendly UK release towards the end of the year.