Joshua Jackson joins the high-profile J.J. Abrams-produced FOX pilot

Joshua Jackson is ready to return to primetime as one of the stars of FOX's "Fringe."

The J.J. Abrams-produced pilot filled the first two-thirds of its leading trio with the relative unfamiliar Anna Torv and John Noble, but went in a more recognizable direction with the "Dawson's Creek" veteran.

Written by Abrams with frequent cohorts Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, "Fringe" focuses on a young female FBI agent (Torv), whose investigations into some paranormal happenings lead her to an institutionalized scientist (John Noble), whose research has something to do with a rise in unexplained phenomena, and the scientist's estranged son (Jackson).

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson's character, named Peter Bishop, is a high school dropout with a 190 IQ and a gambling problem.

Alex Graves is directing the high-profile two-hour, $10 million pilot, which also features Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, Kirk Acevedo and Lance Reddick.

Jackson hasn't appeared on the small screen since "Dawson's Creek" ended in 2003, but the actor had already signed on to appear on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" in a guest arc. Due to the writers strike, Jackson's turn as a doctor on "Anatomy" was postponed and it's unclear if he'd still be able to make his appearance post-strike.

Last seen on the big screen in "Bobby," Jackson has "Shutter" and "Battle in Seattle" on tap for release late in 2008.