'ER' Maven Books Cop Show at NBC

Zap2It.com | June 18, 2008

John Wells

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John Wells producing 'LAPD' pilot for network

NBC may not lack for a John Wells-produced show for very long, even after "ER" goes off the air next season.

The network has given a pilot order to a show tentatively titled "LAPD," which Wells will executive produce. The showbiz trade papers report that the show may even be considered for "ER's" 10 p.m. Thursday timeslot come fall 2009.

Not too many details are known about the pilot, which is starting the casting process. As the title implies, the show will follow the lives and work of Los Angeles police officers. Ann Biderman, an Emmy winner for writing an early episode of "NYPD Blue," is penning the pilot, and "ER" veteran Christopher Chulack will direct. Both will serve as exec producers with Wells.

Wells has enjoyed a long relationship with NBC, starting with the debut of "ER" in 1994. He was also an executive producer of "The West Wing" and created "Third Watch." His credits also include "China Beach," "Smith" and the movies "I'm Not There" and "Then She Found Me," on which he was an exec producer.

Biderman wrote the screenplays for "Copycat" and "Primal Fear" and worked on Michael Mann's upcoming "Public Enemies." Chulack has directed episodes of "Third Watch," "Smith" and "Homefront" in addition to "ER."