Duchovny back on TV at Showtime

By Nellie Andreeva

March 15, 2007, ET

Showtime has handed out a series order to an untitled comedy starring David Duchovny, the premium cable network confirmed Thursday.

The network has picked up 12 episodes of the project, originally ordered as a pilot last year.

Written by Tom Kapinos, the untitled series centers on novelist Hank Moody (Duchovny) who struggles to raise his 13-year-old daughter (Madeleine Martin), while still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend (Natascha McElhone). His obsession with truth-telling and self-destructive behavior -- drinks, drugs and relationships -- are both destroying and enriching his career.

The series, which co-stars Madeleine Martin, Madeline Zima and Evan Handler, is slated to begin production in June for an August launch. It marks Duchovny's first series gig since Fox's "The X-Files."

The Duchovny project joins Showtime's roster of acclaimed series that includes "Dexter," "Weeds" and "Brotherhood."

The new series is set to be paired up with "Weeds."

"This series furthers the Showtime's brand of high-quality, sophisticated, premium television and will be perfectly at home in the comedy space we've carved out with 'Weeds,'" Showtime's entertainment president Robert Greenblatt said.

Added Duchovny, "The last few years, Showtime has been making some of the most interesting and enjoyable television there is, and I can't wait to continue that tradition."

Kapinos is executive producing the series with Duchovny and Stephen Hopkins, who directed the pilot. Melanie Greene is serving as co-executive producer.

Duchovny back on TV at Showtime

By Nellie Andreeva

March 15, 2007, ET