NBC Green Lights New Drama Series From Conan O’Brien; Matthew Perry’s Comedy Picked Up By ABC

NBC has green lit a new scripted drama from Conan O’Brien’s Conaco productions, amongst other new show pick-ups which the network announced on Friday.

The drama – “Outlaw” – lists Conan as an executive producer on the project, which stars Jimmy Smits as a lawyer who leaves his life as a Supreme Court judge to return to private practice with an aim to represent “the little guy.” “24’s” Carly Pope and “Dexter’s” David Ramsey are also part of the cast.

In addition to “Outlaw,” NBC announced the pick up of three other scripted series, including a new legal drama from David E. Kelley, the man behind “The Practice” and “Boston Legal.” David’s new show, “Harry’s Law,” stars Kathy Bates, Ben Chaplin and Aml Ameem, as three misfits who meet up and form a law firm out of a rundown shoe store.

“Friends With Benefits” is a half hour comedy NBC said ‘Yes’ to as well. The series will star “Party Down” cutie Ryan Hansen, “Melrose Place’s” Jessica Lucas (coincidentally, as a character again named “Riley”) and Fran Kranz, who played one of the computer masterminds on FOX’s “Dollhouse.”

Also joining the 2010-11 NBC primetime line up is “The Cape,” a drama starring Australian hunk David Lyons, most recently of “ER.” The actor will play Vince Faraday, a cop who is presumed dead after being framed for a series of murders. Forced into hiding, Farady takes on the likeness of his son’s favorite comic book hero as he takes the law into his own hands. James Frain, who played Thomas Cromwell in the acclaimed Showtime series “The Tudors,” is also a part of the cast, playing The Cape’s nemesis, a killer named Chess.

These four new shows, join NBC’s previously announced new season pick-ups, including the comedy “Perfect Couples” with Olivia Munn and Jerry Bruckheimer’s drama “Chase.”

Over on ABC, nine new series have been green lit including five dramas and three comedies.

“No Ordinary Family” is a drama starring former “The Shield” lead Michael Chiklis as the patriarch of a family whose lives are uprooted after becoming blessed with superpowers following a plane crash. Julie Benz who recently played lesbian stripper Robin on “Desperate Housewives,” as well as Rita on “Dexter,” plays Chiklis’ wife on the series.

Another drama, “My Generation,” documents a group of people in the present day, but offers flashback to their time in high school. “Gary Unmarried’s’ Jaime King and “True Blood’s” Mehcad Brooks are a part of the cast.

Former “Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli stars in “Detroit 1-8-7,” a show centering on the lives of detectives investigating crimes in the Motor City. Aisha Hinds from “Mr. Brooks” and “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To jail” is also a part of the cast.

Super producer Jerry Bruckheimer is bringing “The Whole Truth” to ABC, another new legal drama on the primetime cards, this one showing both sides of a case – prosecution and defense. “Nip/Tuck’s” Joely Richardson and Rob Morrow, most recently of the canceled CBS drama “Numb3rs,” help lead the cast.

Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland production company is bringing forward “Off The Map,” a new medical drama from one of her “Grey’s Anatomy” writers – Jenna Bans. The drama centers around a group of doctors working and making do on medical matters in a tropical locale. Enrique Murciano, a vet from CBS’ “Without a Trace,” joins Jamson Winston George (who most recently played Dr. Bailey’s love interest on “Grey’s”) on the show.

ABC also confirmed the pick up of three comedies – “Better Together,” “Happy Endings” and “Mr. Sunshine.”

“Mr. Sunshine” is former “Friend” Matthew Perry’s new project, which he previously announced on Twitter. Matthew plays a working man who suffers a midlife crisis when he turns 40. Recent “Lost” guest star Allison Janney is also part of the cast.

“Better Together” centers around two sisters at different points in life. Joanna Garcia, who played the eldest daughter on the long running series “Reba,” and more recently, Bree Buckley on “Gossip Girl,” leads the cast along with Jennifer Finnigan. Jennifer is another CBS vet, who helmed the legal series “Close To Home” as lawyer Annabeth Chase.

Damon Wayans Jr. leads up the cast of “Happy Endings,” about a group of friends who have trouble after two of them decide to divorce. Former “24” daughter Elisha Cuthbert and ex-“Saturday Night Live” featured player Casey Wilson are also on board.