Rufus Sewell has landed the lead in the CBS drama pilot "Eleventh Hour," from producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

"Eleventh Hour" is based on a British limited series and will star Sewell as a professor-turned-government advisor who travels the country investigating abuses of science. He's accompanied by a feisty female bodyguard.

Patrick Stewart played the male lead in the original British format, with Ashley Jensen as the bodyguard.

The action has been transplanted to the United States in Mick Davis' pilot adaptation, which will be directed by Danny Cannon, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cannon directed the pilot for the Bruckheimer-produced "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," helping establish the look for one of TV's most popular shows.

Sewell's credits include diverse turns in features like "Dark City," "Cold Comfort Farm" and "The Illusionist." He'll be seen this spring in HBO's "John Adams" project as Alexander Hamilton.