CBS could be breaking new ground for Asian-American actors with Exhibit A, a legal drama from former Castle co-showrunner Alexi Hawley, Hawaii Five-0 co-star Daniel Dae Kim and Jane the Virgin producer Ben Silverman.
KBS
The project, written by Hawley, is based on the South Korean series My Lawyer, Mr. Jo. It centers on a disgraced Korean-American prosecutor who finds redemption as a defense lawyer when he pairs with a young idealistic attorney and the two fight for the underdogs of Los Angeles. The original series launched on Korea’s KBS2 earlier this year to strong ratings.
If it goes forward, the show, now in development, would be a rare U.S. broadcast drama with an Asian lead and the first U.S. drama series outside of the action genre where the main lead is Asian American. In addition to Hawaii Five-0, CBS has drama Elementary where the co-leas is played by Lucy Liu.
Hawley executive produces Excibit A alongsideKim through his 3AD banner and Silverman through his new company, the A+E Networks-backed Propagate, which he heads with Howard T. Owens,. CBS TV Studios, where 3AD is based, is the studio. 3AD Head of Development Lindsay Goffman will serve as co-executive producer.
Most recently, Hawley was a co-showrunner on Castle‘s final season. He previously created the drama State of Affairs for NBC and served as co-showrunner on Fox’s The Following. He is repped by CAA, Shuman Co. and Hansen Jacobson.
Kim, who was born in South Korea, also executive produces another drama project based on Korean format. The Good Doctor, written-executive produced by House creator David Shore, has a put pilot commitment at ABC. Kim is repped by APA and Anonymous Content.
