Jared Padalecki Medical Drama From Anna Fricke Opens Writers’ Room at CBS

CBS is opening a writers’ room to further develop a medical drama starring Jared Padalecki, Variety has learned.

The untitled series was first reported to be in development at the broadcaster in January, with the writers’ room indicating that CBS has enough faith in the project to continue the process as part of their year-round development strategy. CBS recently followed a similar path with the legal drama “Cupertino” from Robert and Michelle King, which was picked up to series in October.

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Anna Fricke is the writer and executive producer on the series under her Pursued by a Bear banner, while Padalecki will executive produce in addition to starring. Laura Terry of Pursued by a Bear will also executive produce. CBS Studios will produce. Fricke is currently under an overall deal at the studio, while Padalecki has a first-look producing deal there as well.

The official logline states, “A headstrong, devoted doctor (Padalecki) practices his unique style of improvisational medicine alongside his new protégé, a young doctor escaping her past, as they operate a mobile clinic and heal the bodies and souls of their underserved community in the medical desert of rural Texas.”

The project reunites Padalecki and Fricke, as they previously worked together on the CW cop drama “Walker.” That show, a reboot of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” starred Padalecki with Fricke developing it and serving as showrunner. They also both executive produced the prequel series “Walker: Independence,” which Fricke co-developed with Seamus Kevin Fahey. “Walker” ran for four seasons at The CW, while “Walker: Independence” aired for one.

Padalecki is best known for his starring role in the hit CW/WB series “Supernatural,” playing the role of Sam Winchester throughout the show’s 15-season run. His other credits include “Gilmore Girls” and films like “Flight of the Phoenix” and “House of Wax.” Fricke has written for shows like “Dawson’s Creek,” “Everwood,” “Wayward Pines,” and “Valor.”

Padalecki is repped by UTA and Industry Entertainment. Fricke is repped by UTA and Felker Toczek.