Scott Bakula Will Star in New CBS Detective Series

The veteran actor is set to return to a network lead role for an upcoming procedural currently in development.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Television

Scott Bakula Will Star in New CBS Detective Series

Live Poll

Do you prefer watching new shows featuring familiar stars or shows with unknown lead actors?

Scott Bakula will headline a new detective series currently in development at CBS. The actor is returning to the network after previously starring as Dwayne Cassius Pride in the NCIS franchise.

Why it matters

The project marks a return for Bakula to the network landscape, building on his previous long-term success in prime-time procedural television.

Bakula previously starred in NCIS: New Orleans, which ran for seven seasons. This series held the distinction of being the first program within the NCIS franchise to conclude its run.

The players

Scott Bakula

Scott Bakula is an accomplished television actor known for his long-running lead roles in major network series.

CBS

CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television network that produces a wide range of popular procedural dramas.

The details

The new detective series is currently in the development phase at CBS. This role follows Bakula's prominent tenure within the NCIS universe, where he served as a central figure for nearly a decade.

2014 marked the debut of Scott Bakula as Dwayne Cassius Pride.

Industry Dynamics

This casting choice reflects a broader Hollywood trend where networks lean on established stars to anchor new procedural content. By reuniting with a proven lead, CBS aims to leverage existing audience familiarity to stabilize its prime-time schedule.

Viewers can expect the new series to be distributed through the standard CBS broadcast schedule. Access to the show will follow the network's traditional linear television rollout and subsequent digital streaming availability.

The takeaway

Networks continue to prioritize legacy stars to maintain viewer retention in a competitive entertainment market. Audiences should look for further casting announcements as the series moves through the development pipeline.