Jimmy Smits, who previously starred in NYPD Blue, has signed on to play the male lead against Amanda Warren in the CBS hour-long debut East New York.
The project centered on Regina Haywood (Warren), the recently appointed deputy inspector of East New York, a poor, working-class area on the eastern side of Brooklyn, co-written by William Finkelstein and Mike Flynn and directed by Mike Robin. She heads a varied squad of police personnel, some of whom are hesitant to use her innovative techniques of upholding the law in the face of social upheaval and gentrification’s early stages.
Jimmy Smits will portray three-star Chief John Suarez, who oversees the blending of neighborhoods and the districts that service them thanks to his expertise, authoritative presence, and strong moral foundation.
The Emmy-nominated actor has a special attachment to the film. Jimmy Smits was born in Brooklyn and grew up and attended school in the East New York neighborhood. Jimmy Smits also joins up with Finkelstein, with whom he worked on NYPD Blue, and with Robin, who was a director-producer on the Smits-starring programs NYPD Blue and L.A. Law.
East New York is executive produced by Finkelstein and Flynn, as well as Robin of Skyemac Productions, Christine Holder, and Mark Holder of Wonder Street. Skyemac’s Andrew Maher is co-executive directing. The studio is Warner Bros. Television.
Jimmy Smits recently appeared in the movie adaptation of In the Heights, for which he earned an Emmy. Sons of Anarchy and Dexter are among his other television credits. UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Hansen Jacobson Teller are his agents.
