Emmy winner Eric McCormack is returning to broadcast TV.
The Will & Grace alum has been tapped to star in the Fox dramedy pilot Studio City, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Inspired by the life of showrunner Krista Vernoff, the hourlong pilot tells the story of a young singer's path to stardom as she comes of age living with her songwriter father (McCormack) who turns out to be a drug dealer to the stars.
McCormack, whose canceled TNT drama Perception ends its three-season run in March, will play Rob, the father who mixes his "day job" as a drug dealer with his singer-songwriter dreams to chaotic effect.
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Vernoff will pen the script and executive produce the Warner Bros. Television drama alongside John Wells and his studio-based John Wells Productions exec Andrew Stearn. Sanaa Hamri will direct the pilot.
The role marks McCormack's first series regular broadcast role since NBC's Will & Grace. The actor has spent the past three seasons starring on TNT's Perception, which was canceled in November under former Fox topper Kevin Reilly. McCormack recently booked a guest turn on NBC's WBTV-produced Mysteries of Laura, creating a Will & Grace reunion with former co-star Debra Messing for the first time since their beloved comedy ended its run nine years ago. He's repped by ICM Partners, the Coronel Group and Sloane Offer.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
