Sharon Stone and Jeff Hephner star in “Agent X”

The name’s Case. John Case. OK, the title character in “Agent X” isn’t quite 007, but he’s certainly drawing comparisons to the smooth-talking, tuxedo-swaddled Brit.

TNT's action-packed new series sees big-screen icon Sharon Stone (“Casino,” 1995) making a rare departure from film to star in a television show. She portrays the newly elected vice president of the United States, Natalie Maccabee, who is landed with a very particular set of responsibilities -- and more importantly, one exceptional employee -- that only a handful of people know about. “Agent X” premieres Sunday, Nov. 8, on TNT.

At last month’s New York Comic Con, series creator William Blake Herron explained his inspiration for the concept of “Agent X.” In a sentiment echoed in the first episode by Malcolm Millar (Gerald McRaney, “House of Cards”), the vice president’s chief steward, Herron was intrigued by the fact that the second most important executive position in the American government doesn’t appear to have any set duties. From that came the speculation that perhaps those duties are just unseen and kept from the public.

After she’s sworn into office, Maccabee returns to her new digs only to discover a secret passage behind the fireplace, which she follows to the end and promptly has her mind blown when she's filled in on one of the nation’s biggest secrets.

As Millar explains, Maccabee is about to be heavily involved in a program she never knew existed. An extra section in Article Two of the Constitution -- the original document is housed in the hidden chamber in which she's now standing -- states that “an agent of unknown identity is hereby authorized to serve at the discretion of the vice president for the purpose of aiding the republic in times of dire peril.”

And so she’s introduced to John Case, also known as Agent X.

Jeff Hephner (“Chicago Fire”), who plays Agent X, described the character in an interview for Blastr as a “taller-than-average, really handsome bad-ass” who’s deployed on missions that the government needs to accomplish on the down-low.

“He’s an American James Bond,” added Herron, “so he goes on missions like any super spy would do.”

Indeed, the extended preview has no shortage of butt-kicking, gun-toting, glass-breaking and other fancy maneuvers; Agent X pulls it all off while looking terribly dapper, with never a hair out of place.

The character is, in essence, a weapon himself. Case is Special Ops-trained, CIA-tested, cunning, tough and quick as a whip. He’s also fiercely patriotic with a strong moral compass -- qualities that all come together to make him the ideal man to be protecting his country when no one else can. His charm and good looks don’t hurt, either.

James Earl Jones as seen in “Agent X”

The series obviously has some recognizable faces attached to it, but scoring Stone as the leading lady was a real windfall. The award-winning actress, producer and former fashion model has dozens of roles under her belt and, while she’s done some TV work (mostly in guest appearances), it’s on the big screen that she’s made a name for herself.

Stone spoke with “Extra” about the timing of finally taking a major television role: “I waited for the good thing. I knew that I wanted to do something that had a woman in a sort of political situation, in a way that talked about politics but also in a way that was fun.”

The current political situation in the U.S. also played a role in Stone, a supporter of Hillary Clinton, taking the part.

“For me, to play vice president during this prescient moment when women are in so many powerful positions politically, and when we’re very apt to have a woman as president, it’s a very exciting time in the world to be playing something that is really in that moment, in that historical moment,” she added.

Maccabee is certainly an admirable character. She went from law professor to senator to the country’s first female vice president, and bore the tragic death of her husband with a strength that showed her to be capable in times of crisis, and a qualified commander of a top secret program requiring clarity and careful discretion.

Of course, she’ll still have guidance in her new position, and not only from the dry-witted Millar, who will become her right-hand man and trusted adviser. Chief Justice Caleb Thorne is played by another Hollywood heavyweight, three-time Emmy winner James Earl Jones (“Field of Dreams,” 1989), and is one of the few people who is in on the Agent X program. The iconic actor can do no wrong in roles requiring a voice of guidance and reason, and Thorne will prove invaluable to Maccabee as she dives head first into crisis management.

Also privy to Case’s role is President Thomas Eckhart, played by Emmy-winning actor John Shea (“Mutant X”). As the former vice president, Eckhart is Case’s previous boss, and it wasn’t so long ago that he was standing right where Maccabee is now.

If two dozen James Bond movies are any indication, audiences love to see a hunk in a suit throwing punches and taking names. “Agent X” promises just that and more. Don’t miss the action-packed premiere when it airs Sunday, Nov. 8, on TNT.