ABC tries out Smits for hits
Smits pacts with Touchstone for series
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Under the terms of the pact, Smits will develop and star in a Touchstone-produced series project for ABC -- but only after he's done with "The West Wing." Peacock on Friday made Smits' casting official, announcing the actor was joining the cast of the drama as a congressman who runs for president (Daily Variety, Aug. 13).
In addition to the talent component of the deal, pact also sets up Smits' El Sendero Prods. at Touchstone. Shingle will develop and produce programming that Smits will exec produce but not act in.
Deal marks a homecoming for Smits, who starred in ABC's "NYPD Blue" until 1999. He then inked a pair of development deals with the net, the last of which expired in 2003.
"Jimmy's a one-of-a-kind star and we feel fortunate that he's decided to once again be part of the family," ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson said. Touchstone TV prexy Mark Pedowitz also praised Smits as "one of those rare creative talents every studio wants to work with."
Smits said he was glad to be working with ABC "and now with Touchstone. Steve and Mark have afforded me a unique opportunity, enabling me to be intimately involved in the creation of my own new series, as well as creating, developing and producing programming as an executive producer for ABC, and other ABC/Disney-owned outlets."
While Smits is free to begin producing shows at Touchstone immediately, ABC might have to wait a bit before it gets the actor on-air.
Thesp is committed to "The West Wing" for the 2004-05 season. If the skein returns beyond that, however, Smits is likely to be back as well -- assuming his storyline is still active.
Smits recently starred in Gotham's Shakespeare in the Park production of "Much Ado About Nothing" as well as the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Anna in the Tropics." He's also set to reprise his role next year as Bail Organa in "Star Wars: Episode III --- Revenge of the Sith" next year.
On the TV front, Smits was committed to a gumshoe drama at NBC via Warner Bros. TV last season, but that project was shelved due to script issues.
