Robert De Niro to replace James Gandolfini in miniseries

NEW YORK, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- HBO says its New York-set miniseries "Criminal Justice" will feature Robert De Niro in the lead, following the death of its intended star James Gandolfini.

Gandolfini died of a heart attack during the summer. He was 51.

The Hollywood Reporter said the late actor will be credited as an executive producer of "Criminal Justice," which he helped develop for the home cable network of his classic drama series "The Sopranos."

The first episode of the adaptation of Peter Moffat's 2008 BBC drama "Criminal Justice" will be directed by Steve Zaillian. The miniseries will follow Jack Stone, an ambulance-chasing attorney who finds himself defending a young man accused of murdering a girl on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.