Damon Wayans Jr. is set to lead the NBC drama pilot “Puzzled,” Variety has learned.
The pilot was picked up at NBC back in January. It is based on the “Puzzle Master” books by Danielle Trussoni. The official logline states, “After barely escaping a tragic fire, once promising college athlete Mike Brink (Wayans) is transformed by a traumatic brain injury that gives him the unique ability to see the world in an unexpected way and helps him solve crimes with local police.”
The character description for Mike Brink says “He makes his living by betting on sports and is uniquely equipped to do this because he developed Acquired Savant Syndrome as a result of a traumatic brain injury. This rare phenomenon gives him exceptional skills in puzzle-solving, higher math functions and pattern recognition.”
Wayans and his Two Shakes Entertainment banner are currently under a first-look deal at CBS Studios. Under that deal, he starred in and executive produced the CBS multi-cam comedy “Poppa’s House” and currently hosts and executive produces the CBS game show “Raid the Cage.” His other notable television roles include “Happy Endings” and “New Girl,” while he is known for starring in films like “Let’s Be Cops” and “The Harder They Fall.”
He is repped by UTA, Ziffren Brittenham and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Joey Falco is the writer and executive producer on “Puzzled,” with Jordan Cerf of Linden Entertainment also executive producing. Trussoni is a producer on the project. Universal Television is the studio.
Wayans is the latest lead casting for an NBC pilot to be announced in recent days. Previously, it was reported that Téa Leoni will star in the comedy pilot “Newlyweds,” while David Boreanaz will play Jim Rockford in the NBC reboot of “The Rockford Files.”