According to TVLine, CBS has officially given a pilot order to the political drama titled Ways & Means with Grey’s Anatomy alum Patrick Dempsey attached for the leading role. If the pilot successfully scores a series order, this project would be Dempsey’s first major broadcast TV comeback after nearly 5 years since he made his last appearance as Derek Shepherd in ABC’s long-running medical drama in 2015.
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Ways & Means will follow Dempsey’s character as a powerful Congressional leader who, after having lost faith in politics, finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young Congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create. Together, they’ll attempt to save American politics (provided they don’t get caught).
The series will be written and executive produced by Ed Redlich and Mike Murphy. Dempsey, PatMa Productions’ Denise Di Novi, Tom Lassally of 3 Arts Entertainment, Joannie Burstein and former CBS president Nina Tassler are also set as executive producers.
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Dempsey is best known for portraying the iconic role of Dr. Derek Shepherd in Shonda Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy which had earned him two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in Television series. His notable film credits include: Can’t Buy Me Love, Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted, Freedom Writers, and Bridget Jones’ Baby.
