Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: I’ve learned that Fox is giving a 13-episode series order to Murder Police, an animated comedy from former Family Guy executive producer/co-showrunner David Goodman and Jason Ruiz. The show follows a dedicated but inept detective and his partner in a twisted city precinct as they try to solve serious crimes. Goodman and Ruiz created and wrote the project, originally picked up by the network as a presentation. Goodman serves as executive producer; Ruiz as co-executive producer. Murder Police is produced at Bento Box Animation for 20th Century Fox TV.

Murder Police marks Fox’s first animated series order in more than two years — since the October 2010 pickup of Jonah Hill’s Allen Gregory for 7 episodes (with Goodman as executive producer/showrunner), and Napoleon Dynamite for 6. Neither of the two were renewed for a second season. Fox has been looking to bring new blood to its aging Sunday animated comedy block. Of the network’s existing toon series, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad and Bob’s Burgers have been renewed, while The Cleveland Show‘s future beyond this season is in doubt. Goodman is with UTA, Mosaic and Ziffren; Ruiz with UTA, Levity Entertainment and Ziffren.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.