FX developing Staten Island drama

Lawrence O'Donnell of The West Wing has signed on to write and executive produce a new FX cop drama, Staten Island. Production of the pilot is currently underway; should the project be signed for a full season, the series will replace The Shield (the critically acclaimed drama's seven-year run culminates Nov. 25).

Staten Island follows a police chief based in the borough. The show would be filmed on location, joining FX's Rescue Me and Damages, both based and shot in New York City.

O'Donnell was signed to the project by Mandalay TV president Elizabeth Stephen, who spearheaded the development of the show. O'Donnell won an Emmy for best drama series, as part of The West Wing's production team, in 2001.

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