Michael J. Fox Returning to TV in NBC Comedy

Fox will star as a husband and father of three in a new sitcom, which will premiere in fall 2013

By Tierney Bricker Aug 21, 2012 12:43 AMTags
Michael J. FoxDavid Livingston/Getty Images

It's time to throw a welcome home party for Michael J. Fox!

The beloved actor, whose last full-time small-screen gig was Spin City in 2000, is returning to TV in a sitcom for NBC, the network confirmed in a press release.

But wait, it gets even better! The network is so confident in Fox's show that they already ordered 22 episodes, bypassing the standard pilot process.

The currently untitled series is loosely inspired by people and elements in Fox's own life and is set for a fall 2013 premiere date. Fox will star as a husband and father of three from New York City dealing with family career, and challenges, including Parkinson's disease.

Easy A and Friends With Benefits director-producer Will Gluck cocreated the project with Cougar Town and Arrested Development writer-producer Sam Laybourne.

"To bring Michael J. Fox back to NBC is a supreme honor and we are thrilled that one of the great comedic television stars is coming home again," NBC president Robert Greenblatt said in a statement. "From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board. He is utterly relatable, optimistic, and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create—and the vivid family characters surrounding him—will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious. Being in business with him is a supreme pleasure."

Fox's work on Spin City won him an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fox has recently made memorable guest appearances on The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm, both of which earned him Emmy nods.

The new sitcom marks a return to NBC for Fox, who got his start (and three other Emmys) on the network's popular sitcom Family Ties 30 years ago.

"I'm extremely pleased to be back at NBC with a great creative team and a great show," Fox said. "Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I'm excited to get to work."

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Are you excited for Fox's return to TV? Sound off in the comments!

Check out some of the new shows coming to TV this Fall!