"Underground" star Chris Meloni is set to star and produce in Grant Morrison's new Syfy drama pilot "Happy!" He has been cast as the male lead.
According to Deadline, Meloni will play Nick Sax in "Happy!" His character was once a rock star detective for a major metropolitan police force and lost it all.
In the plot of "Happy!" he is now a broken, down-and-out killer who makes just enough money to support a steady diet of booze, drugs, and sarcasm by carrying out hits for the mob. After one hit goes wrong, Sax' life is forever changed by a tiny, relentlessly positive, imaginary blue-winged horse.
"Happy!" is based on New York Times best-selling author Morrison and Darick Robertson's graphic novel of the same name, Variety reported. It will be directed by "Crank" writer Brian Taylor. The script is also co-written by Taylor and Morrison will also co-write the script.
"Happy!" hails from Universal Cable Productions. It will be executive produced by Meloni, Morrison, and Taylor alongside Neal Moritz, Pavun Shetty, and Toby Jaffe of Original Film from "The Fast and the Furious" franchise. Meloni's longtime manager Bill Butler is also on board as a producer.
"Happy!" is Meloni's latest small-screen role since leaving "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2011. He currently stars on WGN America's slavery drama "Underground" and is set to direct an episode of Season 2, which is in production.
Meloni is also returning for the upcoming second season of Netflix's "Wet Hot American Summer" Season 2. He will next be seen on the big screen in the untitled Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn mother-daughter comedy due out in May, making him the latest impressive get.
In film, Meloni has also the USA Network drama pilot "The Sinner" starring Jessica Biel in her first TV role in nearly a decade. He is represented by Industry Entertainment and Gersh.
"Happy!" is ordered to pilot in September next year.
Watch the video of Chris Meloni to star in "Happy!":
