USA Net Builds on Scripted Originals Momentum With Series Pick Up of Common Law

As USA dominates the television landscape this summer with a record number of original hits, the network announces today the pickup of the original scripted series COMMON LAW starring Michael Ealy ("The Good Wife, "Californication"), Warren Kole ("The Chicago Code," "24") and Jack McGee ("The Fighter," "Rescue Me"). The series will start production next month on 11 episodes in New Orleans, Louisiana. The announcement was made today by USA Co-Presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber.

"When CBS Television Studios sent us the script of COMMON LAW, we immediately fell in love with the writing, the characters and the premise," said Wachtel and McCumber. "We're very lucky to have the Wibberleys, Jon and Craig guiding the process on this show; and with Michael and Warren, we have two stars who bring out the best in each other."

COMMON LAW centers on Travis Marks (Ealy) and Wes Mitchell (Kole), two cops with a problem... each other. Wes, a methodical former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, and Travis, a maverick ladies' man who served time in juvenile hall, can't stand each other. As partners, they were LAPD's dream team on the homicide squad but constant bickering got in the way of their work and the two ended up on probation. To revive their flagging professional relationship, their Captain (McGee) sends them to couples therapy to help understand and resolve their conflicts. We soon learn that a successful relationship or partnership doesn't mean you have to like the same things; you just have to hate the same things.

COMMON LAW is from CBS Television Studios and Junction Entertainment, and is executive produced and written by Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley ("National Treasure," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"). Jon Turteltaub ("Jericho," "National Treasure") and Craig Sweeny ("Medium," "The 4400") are executive producers. Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik ("Harper's Island," "Jericho") of Junction Entertainment serve as co-executive producers. The pilot was directed by Turteltaub.

USA is currently the home to nine original scripted series: BURN NOTICE, COVERT AFFAIRS, FAIRLY LEGAL, IN PLAIN SIGHT, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, PSYCH, ROYAL PAINS, SUITS and WHITE COLLAR.

CBS Television Studios is one of the industry's leading suppliers of primetime network programming. with the #1 and #2 most-watched scripted series on television; "NCIS," "NCIS: Los Angeles;" the #1 and #2 most-watched freshman shows of the season, "Hawaii Five-0" and "Blue Bloods." The roster of popular and critically-acclaimed programs also include the phenomenally successful CSI franchise, along with Peabody Award winning series "The Good Wife," starring multiple award winner Julianna Margulies; The CW's hit series "90210;" and the daytime talk show "The Talk."

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

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