Brian J. Smith may be on his way back to your TV screen each and every week. The former Stargate Universe co-star has been cast as a lead in the pilot for a new noir drama on CBS, Variety reports.
He’ll play Detective Ed Exley on L.A. Confidential, based on the classic novel by James Ellroy. Exley is described as “cold though not without a conscience, obviously brilliant, authoritative, and fiercely ambitious” — determined to make his mark and to prove himself to his father. The role was played by Guy Pearce in the 1997 film adaptation, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
Smith played Lt. Matthew Scott for two seasons on SGU.
L.A. Confidential is being developed for CBS by Arnon Milchan (who produced the film) alongside CBS TV Studios, New Regency, and Lionsgate TV. Set amidst the glamour and grit of 1950s Los Angeles the story follows a trio of homicide detectives, an actress, and a reporter whose paths intersect in the midst of an ongoing search for a serial killer.
Also cast this week is Walton Goggins (Justified, Sons of Anarchy), who will play Detective Jack Vincennes.
We should know by May whether or not L.A. Confidential will be picked up to series for the 2018-2019 broadcast season. Meanwhile, Smith will be back on Sense8 as Will Gorski for one final story when the genre-themed Netflix drama returns with a series finale movie later this year.
Follow Brian on Twitter at @BrianJacobSmith.