CHICAGO– Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis have signed a deal with CBS to play in their new, untitled drama about a cowboy turned sheriff. However, this isn’t your Wild West, 1800s type of drama. This is the true life story of Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy who became the longtime sheriff of Las Vegas in the 1960s.
Quaid and Chiklis, who will also be credited as co-executive producers on the project, will play the two leads in the series. Quaid will play Lamb, while Chiklis will portray Johnny Savino, a Chicago mobster who’s plans in Las Vegas clash with the mandate of the new sheriff.
Chiklis has seen his fair share of TV, from “The Shield” to “No Ordinary Family,” but, if picked up into series, this would be Dennis Quaid’s first full time role on the small screen.
Greg Walker and Nicholas Pileggi will write the pilot of the cowboy drama and James Mangold will direct. All three men will produce the pilot, as well as Kathy Konrad and Arthur Sarkissian, who are on board as executive producers.
 | By TIMMARTENS |