Benjamin McKenzie is in talks for the John Wells show; three others are already cast

Benjamin McKenzie may be moving slightly north of "The O.C." for his next TV gig.

McKenzie, who starred as Ryan Atwood in FOX's teen soap, is talking with NBC about joining the cast of its drama pilot "LAPD." The show has also cast Regina King, Michael McGrady and Kevin Alejandro, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The show would be McKenzie's first TV work since "The O.C." bowed out in 2007. He appeared in the Al Pacino movie "88 Minutes" earlier this year and recently finished work on an indie-film production of "Johnny Got His Gun."

"LAPD" is an ensemble drama centering on a group of Los Angeles cops. King ("24," "Ray") will play a smart detective in the Hollywood division. McGrady ("Day Break," "The Thin Red Line") is set to play a detective who works gang crimes and obsesses over the well-being of his family, and Alejandro ("Shark," " Ugly Betty") will play a young detective and family man.

"ER" boss John Wells is executive producing the pilot, which was written by Ann Biderman (" NYPD Blue," "Primal Fear"). Fellow "ER" veteran Chris Chulack will direct.