NBC orders "Ironside" remake drama, Blair Underwood to star

The 1967-1975 NBC detective drama “Ironside” starring Raymond Blurr as paralyzed Chief of Detectives has been renewed by the network. The remake, which will star Blair Underwood as the new Chief of Detectives Robert T. Ironside, has been given a pilot order by NBC.  Underwood is joining the cast after recently starring in “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway, and he has a fairly impressive track sheet which includes roles in everything from “Sex and the City” to “L.A. Law”.

Ironside is described as a tough, but sexy, police detective who is consigned to a wheelchair after falling victim to a shooting. His disability fails to slow him down, as he expertly demonstrates his authority and expertise over his hand-picked team to solve the most challenging cases in the city.

The pilot originally had David Semel signed on to direct and executive produce, but Semel has cut ties to go and direct/executive produce the CBS drama pilot “Intelligence” instead. “Ironside” is being written be Mike Caleo with Teri Weinberg and John Davis, and will be produced by Universal TV.

I never had the chance to see the original “Ironside” (just a bit before my time…by about 20 years) but I will likely give the pilot a chance. Are you looking forward to the remake of this NBC detective drama?