Lucas to star in 'The Firm' drama series

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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 9 (UPI) -- Actor Josh Lucas is set to star in the new U.S. legal drama series "The Firm," based on John Grisham's best-selling novel, NBC said.

The project is being executive-produced by Grisham and Lukas Reiter.

Lucas, whose feature-film credits include "A Beautiful Mind," "Glory Road," "The Lincoln Lawyer," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Hulk," will star as attorney Mitchell McDeere in "The Firm" series.

Tom Cruise originated the role of McDeere in the 1993 movie version of the 1991 book.

"'The Firm' continues the story of attorney Mitchell McDeere who, as a young associate, brought down the prestigious Memphis law firm of Bendini, Lambert & Locke, which operated as a front for the Chicago mob," a synopsis said. "After a difficult decade, which included a stay in the Federal Witness Protection program, McDeere and his family now emerge from isolation to reclaim their lives and their future -- only to find that past dangers are still lurking and new threats are everywhere."