Steve Zahn under ABC's 'Influence'

Some inspired casting news, as a personal favorite has signed on to lead an ABC drama pilot.

Deadline reports that Steve Zahn has joined the pilot "Influence," a new project from Kyle Killen, the creator of NBC's underappreciated and too quickly canceled effort "Awake." Killen will pen the

"Influence" is similarly high concept to Killen's previous series, as it centers on two brothers who form an odd business venture. One brother is a bipolar genius and expert in human behavior, psychology, and motivation, while the other is a slick ex-con. Zahn will tackle the former role of Clark, an unmedicated former professor whose academic career fell apart when he had an affair with one of his undergraduate students. Together, the brothers form an agency designed to solve their clients' problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation.

Zahn is a long-time favorite of mine since he stole the show in the under-the-radar film "SubUrbia." He's shown equal ability in comedy and drama, generally sticking to features such as "Out Of Sight," "Joy Ride," and "A Perfect Getaway," but it will be interesting to see him in a broadcast series. He is currently wrapping the final season of the HBO series "Treme."