Josh Lucas to Co-Star Opposite Debra Messing in NBC Drama

Josh Lucas is returning to NBC to star in another reboot for the network.

The Firm alum has booked the male lead opposite Debra Messing in NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Based on the Spanish format Los Misterios De Laura, the procedural with a sharp sense of humor follows a quirky female homicide detective (Smash and Will & Grace‘s Messing) who juggles high stakes crime as well as her ex-husband (Lucas) and a devilish set of twin boys.

PHOTOS: Faces of Pilot Season 2014

Lucas will play Jake, a clever cop with keen instincts who winds up being captain in the same precinct as his soon-to-be ex-wife, Laura — ex, if only Jake would sign the papers. He’s a serial cheater who could schmooze his way out of the electric chair, whose charm and coveted “good dad” role means he deftly leaves the parenting of his young twin children entirely to Laura.

The role brings Lucas back to NBC after his starring turn in NBC’s short-lived follow-up to The Firm. Repped by WME, Principato-Young and Hirsch Wallerstein, his credits include A&E’s now defunct pilot Occult as well as American Psycho, A Beautiful Mind and Poseidon. Up next he has The Mend, which bowed at SXSW.

From Greg Berlanti Productions and Kapital Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television, the drama hails from writer Jeff Rake (Cashmere Mafia), who will exec produce with Berlanti, Melissa Berman and Aaron Kaplan. McG will direct the pilot and exec produce. Laz Alonso and Janina Gavankar co-star.   

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit