The FOX television network has picked up Deviant Behavior, the new crime drama developed by CSI: Crime Scene Investigation co-executive producer Josh Berman, for a Fall 2005 television premiere.

Deviant Behavior will revolve around the SFPD's Deviant Crime Unit, charged with the responsibility of solving San Francisco's most bizarre and twisted crimes. The show stars Johnny Messner as Detective Graham Hale, Marguerite Moreau as detective Rachel Lyford, and Chi McBride as Lieutenant Matt Cavanaugh. Messner may be familiar to CSI fans for his guest-starring role as Ted Sallanger in what was only the original CSI's second episode, "Lonely Hearts."

FOX is set to officially unveil its fall schedule on Thursday at the City Center Theatre in New York, but Berman this morning already sent along word to CSI Files that the network had picked up his pilot. The show's eventual timeslot will be revealed on Thursday, along with the names of the other new series that FOX has ordered for next year. According to a report on the Futon Critic, other shows that will be joining Deviant Behavior on the fall 2005 schedule include the new dramas Bones, Head Cases and Reunion, and also the critical darling Arrested Development, which has earned a hard-fought renewal for a third season.

Even though Berman's pilot will now be going to series, this doesn't mean the writer will be leaving CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. "I will remain on CSI (happily) for the next two seasons," Berman said earlier this month. "I love my job and I love working for Carol Mendelsohn (my boss). CSI continues to be exciting and I'm happy to keep writing for these wonderful characters."

For another Deviant Behavior cast photo, as well as information on all the other products under consideration at FOX, head over to the Futon Critic.

Discuss this news item at Talk CSI!
 Add CSI Files RSS feed to your news reader or My Yahoo!
Also a Desperate Housewives fan? Then visit GetDesperate.com!