'Parks and Recreation' Alum to Co-Star in AMC's LaGravenese/Goldwyn Pilot (Exclusive)

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Paul Schneider

Paul Schneider is heading from the Newsroom to the courtroom.

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The Parks and Recreation alum who's currently recurring on HBO's Aaron Sorkin drama has been cast opposite Marin Ireland in AMC's Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

The untitled drama is described as a legal thriller with major political, personal and ethical stakes and revolves around a district attorney who uncovers new evidence that prompts the reinvestigation of a sensational murder case.

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Schneider, who starred as Pawnee city planner Mark on the NBC comedy, will play Clark Rylance, a senior attorney at the Innocence Project with a secret crush on Christine (Ireland), who's initially skeptical about taking on the controversial case. However, after he learns that Christine has uncovered new information that could exonerate a prisoner on Death Row, he becomes deeply involved in the case.

LaGravenese (The Fisher King) will write and executive produce alongside Goldwyn, who will direct. Andrew Sugerman (Conviction) will co-exec produce. Goldwyn, whose directing gigs include episodes of Dexter, Justified and ABC's Grey's Anatomy, currently stars on the Shonda Rhimes D.C.-set political-fixer drama Scandal, on which he plays the president of the United States, will helm the pilot.

Repped by CAA, Schneider's credits include features Water for Elephants, Away We Go and Lars and the Real Girl.

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