Nellie Andreeva

Lie To Me star Tim Roth is staying in business with 20th Century Fox TV, the studio behind the Fox drama series, through a talent holding/producing deal. Under the pact, 20th TV will develop a new series as an acting vehicle for Roth. Additionally, the deal includes a first-look component, allowing Roth to pitch series projects to the studio that he may or may not be attached to star in. Feature actor Roth, who made his series debut with Lie To Me, would executive produce any shows that he brings to 20th TV. The studio’s chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman met with Roth in New York in May, just a couple of days after Fox cancelled Lie To Me after 3 seasons, to pitch the British actor the idea of doing a new project together. Walden and Newman were in town or the broadcast network’s upfront presentations, while CAA-repped Roth was filming feature Arbitrage there. “While Lie To Me never had the opportunity to take off, Tim did a fantastic job on the show,” Walden said. “He is incredibly smart, has very good instincts and all creative executives across the board at 20th TV, Fox 21 and Fox TV Studios are excited about possibly working with him.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.