Samuel L. Jackson Inks TV Deal W/ CBS

Jun 07,2008 00:00 by admin

Oscar nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson is venturing onto the small screen with a first-look deal at CBS Paramount Network television.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson recently signed a two-year pact; that will have the accomplished thespian develop and executive produce a series of projects for CBS Paramount through his production company Uppity Films. Another television studio was interested in a deal with the box office star, but Jackson opted to go with CBS after a meeting with studio president David Stapf.

"Samuel Jackson is not only a fan of television but a really astute historian who knows it well," Stapf told THR. "He knows wherein lies a good story, and he's going to be a fantastic producer who is interested in all the genres on television."

Currently, Jackson is in the process of hiring an executive to shepherd his TV development. The actor has also stated he was open to the idea of limited appearances on the shows he develops, in the same realm as Salma Hayek starring on ABC's Ugly Betty, which she also executive produces.

With a previous stint as a producer for Spike TV's animated series Afro Samurai, Jackson, a cited TV-junkie, said he looks forward "to having as great influence on other's lives as television has had on mine."

Jackson will return to the big screen this year starring in the comic book inspired, action-drama The Spirit and the Malcolm D. Lee directed comedy-musical Soul Men.