FX announced that they’ve played a 13-episode order for a new original series titled Lawman. Developed by Boomtown’s Graham Yost, the series will star Timothy Olyphant (Damages, Deadwood), who plays a modern day 19th century-style lawman who is assigned to cover the town where he grew up.
Olyphant is no stranger to FX as he co-starred in Damages last season. Fans of HBO’s Deadwood will remember him from his character Seth Bullock. And for those of you who’ve seen every episode of Sex and the City, Olyphant appeared in one episode, playing the role of Sam, a twenty-something guy that Carrie briefly dates until she realizes that younger guys aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. (“Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys”). And he was the pimp-ish guy, Kelly in The Girl Next Door. Between those roles and his various other credits, he’s definitely a familiar face.
FX said Lawman is based on the popular Elmore Leonard character “Raylan Givens” featured in his short story “Fire in the Hole”. Below is the premise for the series:
Olyphant stars in the lead role of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Givens is a modern day 19th century-style lawman, enforcing his brand of justice in a way that puts a target on his back with criminals and places him at odds with his bosses in the Marshal service. That conflict results in a reassignment for Givens to the U.S. District covering the town where he grew up. He is an anachronism – a tough, soft spoken gentleman who finds his quarry fascinating, but never gives an inch. Dig under his placid skin and you’ll find an angry man who grew up hard in rural Kentucky, with an outlaw father, who knows a lot more about who he doesn’t want to be than who he really is.The series co-stars Nick Searcy (CSI) as Givens longtime friend and boss “Art Mullen,” and Jacob Pitts (21) and Erica Tazel (Life) as Deputy Marshals “Tim Gutterson” and “Rachel Dupree.” Guest stars include Walton Goggins (The Shield), Joelle Carter (CSI: Miami) and Natalie Zea (Dirty Sexy Money). Lawman is produced by FX Productions, Timberman-Beverly Productions, Nemo Films and Rooney McP Productions, Inc in association with Sony Pictures Television.
“Like the other shows we’ve partnered on with FX – The Shield, Rescue Me and Damages – the pedigree of talent behind and in front of the camera on Lawman is outstanding,” said Zack Van Amburg, President, Programming, Sony Pictures Television. “This gripping narrative of justice being served has such universal themes, it’s sure to resonate with FX’s viewers.”
Given FX’s reputation for delivering thrilling and oftentimes dark and gritty series, it sounds like Lawman is going to fit in well with the network. Lawman will premiere in Spring 2010.
