While William Petersen has enjoyed a healthy film career to date, he’s long since been far better known for his role as Gil Grissom on US telly behemoth CSI. After giving up that day job back in 2009, he’s been focusing on theatre and the odd movie. Yet it would seem that the siren lure of the glowing box has become too great, and he’s looking to return, pushing a new drama called Hurt People through development with the help of **Departed **producer Graham King’s GK-TV company.
Despite the title, Hurt People won’t be a reality show based around the wacky adventures of William Hurt’s family, but will instead star Petersen as Hollis Brown, a veteran hit man controlled by a crime family. The big wrinkle is that the same mobsters killed his wife and now his estranged daughter is looking to exact a little payback on the criminals responsible. And guess who is called upon to track down his little girl before she can deliver any gunishment? You really should see that one coming...
According to Deadline, Petersen and producing partner Cynthia Chvatal were sent the script by former AMC TV executive Peter Mcmanus, who had decided to dip his toe into writing. While it might seem like a gamble to go with an untested writer behind the keyboard, don’t forget that CSI creator Anthony Zuiker had few credits on his CV when Petersen took a chance on him. And just look at the monster they birthed!
As of right now, Petersen and his partners are shopping it around to various possible homes, with the project’s dark tone suggesting that it’ll most likely end up on a cable channel like FX or AMC (especially given the writer’s background).
Film wise, Petersen will next crop up in a small role in Steve Carell comedy drama Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World.