Billy Bob Thorton to Star in Amazon Series THE TRIAL

Marked as Amazon's first straight-to-series order, David E. Kelly's THE TRIAL will star Billy Bob Thorton in the lead role.

Variety writes that the legal drama follows 'Billy McBride', played by Thorton, a lawyer who was ousted from a high-profile firm that currently spends his days getting drunk.

But, "Billy's professional life is turned upside down when a young lawyer who has just been fired from his old firm brings him a wrongful death case that pits him against the head of his former firm."

The role of Billy McBride was originally offered to Kevin Costner, who turned it down following talks.

THE TRIAL joins TRANSPARENT and ALPHA HOUSE as part of Amazon's growing slate of series.

Thornton last starred in the TV series FARGO and the movies THE JUDGE, INTO THE GRIZZLY MAZE and ENTOURAGE. The actor will soon be seen in the films OUR BRAND IS CRISIS, HUNTER KILLER, LONDON FIELDS and FUN HOUSE.

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