We’ve been waiting quite a while to see Josh Holloway back on TV in a starring role, and CBS is about to make it happen sooner than originally planned. CBS has set the premiere date for Intelligence for January, a month ahead of its originally scheduled February debut.
As EW points out, Intelligence was originally scheduled to premiere Monday, February 13, however CBS announced this week that they’re debuting the series Tuesday, January 7 following an original episode of their hugely rated series NCIS, after which it’ll move to Monday at 10:00 p.m. — it’s usual time slot.
Given NCIS’ s high ratings, it’ll offer a nice lead-in to the new series, which comes from Michael Seitzman, Tripp Vinson and Barry Schindel. Intelligence stars Josh Holloway as a high-tech intelligence operative whose brain is enhanced with a super-computer microchip, which essentially turns him into human computer, as he’s the first human ever to be connected directly into the global information grid. This allows him the ability to hack into any data center and access key intel as he attempts to protect the U.S. from its enemies.
In her highly anticipated return to network television, Marg Helgenberger stars as Lillian Strand, the Director of the elite government cyber-security agency who supports Gabriel and oversees the unit’s missions. Strand assigns Riley Neal (Meghan Ory), a Secret Service agent, to protect Gabriel from outside threats, as well as from his appetite for reckless, unpredictable behavior and disregard for protocol.
Not only does this mark Josh Holloway’s first starring role in a TV series since he played the dreamy, occasionally corrupt and often nicknaming character Sawyer on Lost, it also puts Holloway front and center as the series lead, which is exciting. Since Lost, Holloway’s done a bit of feature work, appearing in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and Paranoia. He also played the Black Rider in an episode of Community (“A Fistful of Paintballs”).
Beyond its star, there’s the added appeal of the crime-fighting nature of this series, with an added twist when we take into account Gabriel’s mega-brain, which is sure to come in handy. And I like to think he might find ways to use it for personal reasons once in a while because… well, who wouldn’t? He’d be unbeatable on trivia night.
However he uses his abilities, we’ll get to know Gabriel when Intelligence premieres in January!
Watch the previously released preview below:
