Doctors, A&E Endorse Patrick Swayze's 'Beast'

Zap2It.com | June 9, 2008

Patrick Swayze

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Travis Fimmel co-stars in new A&E drama

Diagnosed with cancer in March, Patrick Swayze is apparently healthy enough to return to work.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, A&E has given a series pick-up to "The Beast," giving the show a 13-episode order.

Production on "The Beast" will begin this summer in Chicago, featuring Swayze as an unorthodox FBI agent -- Is there any other kind on TV? -- training his inexperienced new partner (TV's Tarzan, Travis Fimmel). Of course, being an unorthodox agent sometimes has its down side and Swayze's character is being trailed by an Internal Affairs team.

Michael Dinner directed the pilot, which was written by William Rotko and Vincent Angell. John Romano will serve as showrunner.

The trade paper has no details on Swayze's recovery from pancreatic cancer except to say that the "Ghost" and "Point Break" star has been cleared by doctors.

"The Beast" is only A&E's second original drama pickup in the past six years. "The Cleaner," a vehicle for Benjamin Bratt, premieres on the cable network on July 15.