Nellie Andreeva

CBS‘ Beverly Hills Cop reboot has gotten another step closer to a formal greenlight, with actor-comedian Brandon T. Jackson closing a deal for the lead. The films’ star Eddie Murphy and The Shield creator Shawn Ryan executive produce the Sony TV-produced project, which already has a pilot production commitment. Its pilot order is considered a formality once the script written by Ryan is delivered.

Ryan serves as showrunner on the show, a sequel to the three movies that chronicled the exploits of wise-cracking Detroit detective Axel Foley (Murphy) in Los Angeles. The series centers on Axel’s blue-collar police officer son, Aaron (Jackson), who helps take down the criminal elements of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills while trying to escape the shadow of his larger-than-life father. Murphy will reprise his role as Axel in the pilot and may recur if the pilot goes to series.

I hear Murphy suggested Jackson. Murphy is said to be a fan of the young actor and his stand-up. (Murphy too came out of a stand-up background before taking on the Axel role). CBS was immediately on board as the network had already spotted Jackson, casting him in his only previous starring TV role — as the male lead opposite Minnie Driver in the 2011 pilot Hail Mary. Jackson is probably best known for his breakout part in the movie Tropic Thunder.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.