CBS has ordered to pilot “S.W.A.T.,” a potential new drama series based on the film of the same name.
Justin Lin is set to direct the pilot, which follows a locally born and bred S.W.A.T. lieutenant who is torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he’s tasked to run a highly-trained unit that is the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles.
Colin Farrell starred in the 2003 film of the same name, which in turn was based on a 1970s drama series that aired on CBS.
Aaron Thomas is writing and executive producing the new project, while Lin will also executive produce, alongside Shawn Ryan, Marney Hochman, Neal Moritz, Pavun Shetty and Danielle Woodrow.
This pilot order marks the latest drama order at CBS this season. Among the pilots ordered at the network this season are: an untitled series following the Navy SEALs; a NASA drama called “Mission Control” that will be written by Andy Weir; a thriller about a former CIA operative-turned-professor who is enlisted to catch a serial killer entitled “Killer Instinct;” and “Perfect Citizen,” about an NSA whistleblower who joins a Boston law firm.
Series based on feature films also remain hot. In addition to “S.W.A.T.,” Fox has also ordered a pilot based on Owen Wilson military drama “Behind Enemy Lines.” CBS is getting ready to premiere a new “Training Day” series, while Fox is currently airing “Lethal Weapon.”