Christopher Meloni to star in Fox pilot 'I Suck At Girls'

Christopher Meloni is bringing some old school tough love to his next project.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" veteran has taken the lead role in one of the more anticipated comedy pilots of this development season.

The currently untitled series is based Justin Halpern's book "I Suck At Girls," and follows a father confronted with greater responsibility over his children's lives when his wife decides to return to law school. Meloni will take on the role of the family patriarch, Jack Dunlevy, a no-nonsense workaholic content in his rut of going to work early, staying late, and ruling over his kids at home with an iron fist. With his wife unable to help out as much as before, Jack is thrust into a more active, full time parenting role, choosing to adhere to his own blunt style rather than adhere to society's softer touch. As Jack finds his footing as a father, his teenage son learns what it is to be a man.

The former Detective Stabler joins the already cast Connor Buckley ("Deception") as teenage son Frankie and Claudia Lee ("Hart of Dixie") as daughter Rachel. Halpern and Patrick Schumacker ("S#*! My Dad Says") will handle writing duties on the pilot, with veteran comedy producer Bill Lawrence ("Scrubs", "Cougar Town") overseeing the production end with partner Jeff Ingold.

While Meloni is arguably best known for his long-term 12 season stay on "Law & Order: SVU," the actor got his start in comedy and has shown some great comedic timing in feature roles such as "Wet Hot American Summer" and "Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle." The new series adds to his already full plate, with supporting roles in the upcoming films "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" and "Man of Steel."