Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis in Talks to Star in CBS Cowboy Drama

Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis look to be saddling up for CBS' Untitled Ralph Lamb project. 

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The in-demand actors are in talks to co-star in the 1960's-set CBS TV Studios drama based on the true story of Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy-turned-longtime sheriff in Las Vegas. Quaid would star, with Chiklis playing opposite him as a Chicago mobster who moves to Vegas.

If ultimately picked up to series, it would mark Quaid's first foray into series television. His only previous small screen work of any significance was a role in PBS’ star-studded Freedom: A History of Us mini-series back in 2003. The Day After Tomorrow actor joins a growing cadre of once movie-only actors from Kevin Bacon to Ryan Phillippe who recently headed to the small screen.

For Chiklis’ part, the western would be his first show since ABC’s No Ordinary Family, a Greg Berlanti drama that wrapped in the spring 2011. The former Shield star, who inked a development/talent holding deal with CBS, was tapped to star in the network's passed over Conan O'Brien-produced Vince Uncensored comedy pilot last year.

Greg Walker and Nicholas Pileggi are attached to write and executive produce the cowboy pilot along with executive producer and director James Mangold. Both Kathy Konrad and Arthur Sarkissian are on board as executive producers on the project.

Quaid is repped by WME and Hansen Jacobson; Chiklis is repped by WME and Management 360. 

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose