Nellie Andreeva

Greg KinnearFox has made it official, giving a pilot green light to Rake, a character-driven comedic drama by Peter Duncan, creator of the original Australian series, and executive-produced by Peter Tolan (Rescue Me) and Michael Wimer (2012). Greg Kinnear plays the lead role of Keegan Joye, a brilliant, but self-destructive criminal defense lawyer, as well as serves as co-executive producer. The project, which had a big pilot production commitment, went to pilot after Kinnear, whose involvement was contingent on him signing off on the script, did so late last week.

Based on the Australian series, Rake follows the chaotic and comedic life of criminal defense lawyer Keegan Joye (Kinnear). Brilliant, frustratingly charming, and with zero filter, Keegan is one of life’s great addicts. His staggering lack of discretion and inability to self-censor land him the cases that nobody else wants, but behind that lies a resolute optimism and belief in justice that fuel his dogged determination to defend those who seem beyond redemption. In addition to Keegan’s cases within the justice system, the show follows his personal trials and tribulations, including his ongoing battle against the IRS, his mounting debt to his bookie, overlapping affairs and liaisons with women, a hormonal son, an exhausted ex-wife and the evolving relationship between his two married best friends, Ben and Scarlett.

Rake marks Kinnear’s first network drama pilot. The pilot is written by Duncan and produced by Sony Pictures Television, Fedora Entertainment and Essential Media & Entertainment Pty Ltd. Duncan, Peter Tolan, Michael Wimer, Richard Roxburgh  and Ian Collie executive produce.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.