Fans can expect a cluster of fresh series heading to TNT in the coming months, ensuring a nearly continuous thread of originals on the network into 2009.  Along with returning series such as The Closer and Saving Grace, both of which kicks off this week, news shows like Raising the Bar, Leverage and Trust Me will contribute in attaining the goal of having all original programming on three nights of the week by 2010.

First up is Raising the Bar, the latest brainchild of NYPD Blue producer Steven Bochco and David Feige.  The series is about a group of law school classmates who later find themselves on opposite sides of the criminal law.  Leading the hour-long legal drama is none other than Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris on NBC's Saved by the Bell.  Apart from Saved by the Bell, he is also credited as detective John Clark on NYPD Blue. On the new series, he'll be playing a New York City public defender.

Aside from the Save by the Bell actor, Raising the Bar, which hits the small screen on September 1, will also feature Gloria Reuben (ER) as his boss and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) as a judge with whom he frequently clashes.

Subsequently, TNT will be launching the series produced and directed by Dean Devlin, who is credited for Independence Day. The new series is called Leverage, which follows Timothy Hutton (Kidnapped, The Good Shepherd) as he helps people pursue justice by other means than the legal system.  The show is expected to debut in December and also includes Gina Bellman (Coupling), Aldis Hodge (Friday Night Lights), Christian Kane (Angel) and Beth Riesgraf (Alvin and the Chipmunks).

Last but not the least, TNT will be airing Trust Me, the series formerly called Truth in Advertising. Scheduled for a January 2009 release, the show stars Tom Cavanagh (Ed, Love Monkey) and Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as friends and colleagues at a Chicago ad agency.



-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Zap2it.com
(Image courtesy of TNT)