'Awake's' Jason Isaacs to Star in CBS' 'Surgeon General' Drama

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Jason Isaacs

Awake's Jason Isaacs has picked his project.

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The actor, one of pilot season's most sought-after leads, will star in CBS' The Surgeon General, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

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The medical pilot centers on America’s doctor: the surgeon general of the United States, with Isaacs set to play Dr. John Sherman, a man of solid build and character. He's got a rare mix of resolve, humanity and dry wit. When he's injured during his service as a military medic, he becomes a national hero and is appointed to the office of surgeon general upon his return to the U.S.

Sherman is a widower who is raising two teen girls on his own, with a bit of help from his mother-in-law, and doesn't take kindly to the political aspect of his position. All he wants to be concerned with is the nation's health, but he can't ignore the politics that come with the job.

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Lie to Me's Samuel Baum will write and executive produce the CBS Television Studios entry.

Isaacs, whose credits also include Showtime's Brotherhood and playing Lucious Malfoy in the Harry Potter features, is repped by Gersh, Independent Talent Group, the Collective and Jackoway Tyerman. Surgeon General was one of at least four drama offers the English actor had, including cable.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit