"ER" producer John Wells turns from docs to cops

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With veteran NBC medical drama "ER" heading into its 15th and final season, series writer/producer John Wells has set up a new drama series project at the network.

NBC has handed out a pilot order to "LAPD," an ensemble cop show from John Wells Prods. and Warner Bros. TV.

Penned by Emmy-winning writer Ann Biderman, "LAPD" chronicles the lives of a group of police officers in Los Angeles.

"ER" director/executive producer and frequent Wells collaborator Christopher Chulack is on board to direct the pilot.

The project, which has begun casting, is being eyed as a potential successor to "ER" in NBC's Thursday 10 p.m. time slot.

Biderman, who won an Emmy for her work on another ensemble cop drama, ABC's "NYPD Blue," most recently co-wrote the upcoming Michael Mann-directed crime feature "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter