NBC orders Charles Manson drama starring David Duchovny

NBC has ordered 13 episodes of Aquarius, a 1960s-based cop drama starring David Duchovny as a detective investigating Charles Mason, before his Manson Family cult famously killed seven people.

The two-time Golden Globe winner just finished work on the final season of his Showtime hit, Californication, which premieres this month.

With help from a young partner, Duchovny's character will take part in a "complicated undercover operation" of Manson's group, though it won't get to the Manson family's murder spree until later seasons.

The 53-year-old actor previously worked with NBC entertainment chair Robert Greenblatt on The X Files.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Bob Greenblatt again and coming back to broadcast television. I think Aquarius has a chance to be a special show and I can’t wait to get going,” Duchovny said in a statement.

"I know there is a big audience waiting to see him," Greenblatt said.

[Variety, Deadline]