Jason Lee may be making a return to network television, this time for a drama at CBS. The actor, who transitioned from comedy to drama when he made the jump to cable for TNT's Memphis Beat, has been tapped to star in CBS' pilot Second Sight, which is an adaptation of Paula Milne's British crime drama, starring Clive Owen.
Second Sight follows Tanner, the lead detective of the New Orleans Police Department, who's trying to conceal an ocular disorder, which causes him to have "horrifying, visually stimulating anxiety dreams and hallucinations." He's been assured that this condition won't eventually lead to blindness. In the meantime, the hallucinations side effect may help him in the work he does as a law enforcer.
TVLine says Jason Lee has signed on to play the lead role of Tanner. The pilot is executive-produced by CSI's Carol Mendelsohn, along with Michael Cuesta, who not only co-wrote the script, but is also directing. Original series creator Paula Milne is also credited as an executive producer.
Not only does this project sound like a good fit for CBS, where crime procedurals tend to thrive, but it also sounds like an interesting role for Jason Lee. The actor has done dramatic work before, and we saw some of his serious side in Memphis Beat, but he's better known for his comedic work, which includes a starring role in My Name is Earl, not to mention plenty of funny movies, including Mallrats, The Incredibles and the under appreciated Big Trouble. We'll have to wait and see if this one makes it to series.
