John Corbett has signed on to star as the title character in the CBS drama pilot ‘Widow Detective,’ Deadline is reporting. The pilot, which was written by David Hubbard and directed by Davis Guggenheim, follows Corbett’s character, Denny Brennan, a decorated police detective. After losing three partners in the line of duty, he acts as a surrogate husband and father to their families.

‘Widow Detective,’ which is being executive produced by Hubbard, Carol Mendelsohn and Julie Weitz, marks Corbett’s return to CBS. He got his break on its 1990 series ‘Northern Exposure.’ He most recently starred on ‘United States of Tara’ and had a recurring role on ‘Parenthood.’

Written by: Karen Benardello