Neal McDonough

Frank Darabont’s departure and then all-new TNT pilot L.A. Noirhas been a tricky production for fans of The Walking Dead. At first, the entire fact that Darabont was very much moving on in his television career was one thing, while the other big report came from Jon Bernthal’s reported casting, which may be true given recent rumors from the hit zombie series. Now, with Milo Ventimiglia joining as the co-lead, the series is ready to keep the casting coming before production begins as they nab aJustified lead villain.

Vulture reports that Neal McDonough has joined the potential new series as ex-LAPD chief William Parker. Extensive information on his character is not currently available. He joins Ventimiglia, who will play Ned Stax, a former marine now corrupt lawyer, and Bernthal’s alleged character Joe Teague, another ex-Marine who currently works for the LAPD.

L.A. Noir is described as “a fast-paced crime drama set in Los Angeles during the 1940s and ’50s…the show tells the true story of a decades-long conflict between the LAPD, under the determined leadership of Police Chief William Parker, and ruthless criminal elements led by mobster Mickey Cohen, a one-time boxer who rose to the top of LA’s criminal world.”

With McDonough’s casting as an “ex-LAPD chief”, it seems the story may have a flashback element, which is certainly interesting. Perhaps it will detail this alleged corruption, and tell a side of a story that definitely chronicles back and forth.

McDonough is currently the villain of Justified‘s third season, which has been picked up by a fourth year from FX earlier this week. It’s not expected for McDonough’s stay to be extended past this year, but it is possible that he could make guest appearances in the future. That is, if he makes it out of the third season alive…

L.A. Noir will go into production this month, aiming for a pick-up and possible airdate later this year.