Following a very public exit from the series he helped bring to the small screen The Walking Dead, Frank Darabont quickly rebounded with a high profile television show that took a number of ex-Walking Dead cast members to the 1940s and 50s with the pilot L.A. Noir. Though production ended earlier this year, it’s been awhile since TNT has had their hands on the potential series with no word on whether or not it would see the light of day. Thankfully that all changes as TNT has officially welcomed the series into its original programming line-up.
TNT has officially picked up L.A. Noir for a first season to premiere sometime next year at a date to be determined. LikeThe Walking Dead‘s first year there will only be six episodes for Season 1, with more to build from there.
Based on the book of the same name, the series is described as “a fast-paced period thriller based on the acclaimed novel by the same name, centering on the 1940s/50s-era epic battle between determined Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker (played by Justified’s Neil McDonough) and boxer-turned-mobster Mickey Cohen.” Jon Bernthal stars as Joe Teague, an former Marine-turned-LAPD cop in the period drama whileHeroes actor Milo Ventimiglia returns to television as Ned Stax, a corrupt attorney who has ties to both the mob and Teague.
The series also co-stars Alexa Davalos and Walking Dead alumni Jeffrey DeMunn and Andrew Rothenberg. Simon Pegg will guest star in the pilot as Hecky Nash, a comedian and mob patron, while Thomas Jane is said to take a series regular role as gangster Bugsy Siegel.
President of programming Michael Wright said of the pick-up, “L.A. Noir is an intense, exciting drama that takes viewers back to a truly fascinating time in the history of Los Angeles. Frank Darabont, Michael De Luca and Elliot Webb have delivered an outstanding opening episode that evokes the time and place in stunning detail. Together with a pitch-perfect ensemble cast and top-notch production crew, they have woven an engrossing tale of heroism in the face of greed and corruption.”
Here are the first two images released from the series (click to enlarge):
