TNT picks up 3 new series

TNT has added three more shows to its lineup of originals, picking up a pair of cop shows for later this year and a Steven Spielberg-produced drama about an alien invasion for 2011.

The cable channel has picked up 10 episodes each of the untitled alien series, which stars Noah Wyle as the leader of a resistance group; "Delta Blues," featuring Jason Lee as a quirky Memphis cop; and "Rizzoli & Isles," about a Boston homicide detective (Angie Harmon) and medical examiner (Sasha Alexander) who work together on cases.

"Delta Blues" will star Lee ("My Name Is Earl") as Dwight Hendricks, a Memphis police officer with deep ties to the city who lives with his mom (Celia Weston). Alfre Woodard ("Three Rivers") plays his boss; the cast also includes Robyn Lively ("Savannah," "Saving Grace"), Sam Hennings, Abraham Benrubi ("ER"), DJ Qualls ("Hustle & Flow") and Leonard Earl Howze. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are executive producing the show with co-writer Liz Garcia ("Cold Case"); fellow scribe Joshua Harto is a producer.

"Rizzoli & Isles" is based on a series of novels by Tess Gerritsen. Harmon ("Law & Order," "Women's Murder Club") will play Detective Jane Rizzoli, who enlists the help of medical examiner Maura Isles (Alexander, "NCIS") to solve cases in Beantown. Lorraine Bracco ("The Sopranos") will have a recurring part as Jane's mom; the show also stars Bruce McGill ("W.," "Animal House"), Lee Thompson Young ("FlashForward"), Jordan Bridges ("Conviction") and Billy Burke ("Twilight").

"Bones" veteran Janet Tamaro wrote the pilot and will exec produce with "The Closer's" Michael Robin, who also directed, and Bill Haber.

The alien-invasion series will star Wyle ("ER," "The Librarian") as a man who becomes the leader of a resistance cell after aliens wipe out most of the planet's population. Moon Bloodgood ("Terminator Salvation"), Jessy Schram ("Life," "Veronica Mars"), Drew Roy, Maxim Knight and Seychelle Gabriel. Robert Rodat ("Saving Private Ryan") wrote the pilot, which Carl Franklin ("Devil in a Blue Dress") directed. Spielberg is an exec producer.

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Related:

Jason Lee sings 'Delta Blues'
Angie Harmon is TNT's 'Rizzoli'
Noah Wyle, Jeri Ryan head to TNT

Photo credit: TNT

For the record: An earlier version of this story noted that TNT had renewed "Leverage" for a third season. While true, the initial announcement was made some time ago and not in conjunction with the pickups of the three new shows.