TNT greenlights new series 'Dallas'

TNT to unveil special sneak preview of "Dallas" Monday during season premieres of "The Closer" and "Rizzoli & Isles"

New "Dallas" stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Brenda Strong, along with the return of TV icons Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray

TNT has given the greenlight to "Dallas," an all-new series based upon one of the most popular television dramas of all time, about the bitter rivalries and family power struggles within a Texas oil and cattle-ranching dynasty. Famous for its ratings-grabbing cliffhangers, the original series was known for its wealth, seduction, scandal and intrigues. Set in the big state of Texas, TNT's new "Dallas" — from Warner Horizon Television — also lives life large and in the fast lane and brings a new generation of stars together with cast members from the original drama series. The new "Dallas" stars Josh Henderson ("90210"), Jesse Metcalfe ("Chase"), Jordana Brewster ("Fast & Furious"), Julie Gonzalo ("Veronica Mars") and Brenda Strong ("Desperate Housewives"), and they will be joined by iconic stars Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing. TNT has ordered 10 episodes of "Dallas," which is slated to premiere in summer 2012.

TNT will give viewers their first look at "Dallas" on Monday with a special sneak peek during the season premieres of the network's blockbuster hits "The Closer," which starts at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), and "Rizzoli & Isles," which airs at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). TNT is unveiling today a website dedicated to the new "Dallas" series, where fans can view an online photo gallery that features a first look into the show's new and returning cast. Fans can visit the new site, http://www.dallastnt.com, to watch sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes videos. The website will be periodically updated with new materials.

"TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of 'Dallas' for several years, but it wasn't until we read Cynthia Cidre's outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies. "It is incredibly exciting to see both new and familiar characters in the hands of a dream cast under the guidance of the enormously talented Cidre and Mike Robin. We couldn't be more pleased with how 'Dallas' has come together."

The original "Dallas" aired from 1978 to 1991 and centered on the Ewing family, a cattle and oil dynasty occupying the expansive Southfork Ranch in Texas. A long and bitter rivalry between brothers J.R. Ewing (Hagman) and Bobby Ewing (Duffy) eventually led to J.R. losing control of most of the Ewing industries. In the new "Dallas," this explosive rivalry now lives on through another generation, with the future of the family fortune in the hands of the Ewing offspring: cousins John Ross Ewing (Henderson), the son of J.R. and ex-wife Sue Ellen (Gray), and Christopher Ewing (Metcalfe), the adopted son of Bobby. Brewster stars as Elena, who is involved in a love triangle with Christopher and John Ross. Gonzalo stars as Christopher's fiancée, Rebecca. And Strong stars as Ann, Bobby's wife.

Executive producer Cidre, who wrote the acclaimed film "The Mambo Kings" and produced the TV series "Cane," wrote the pilot for the new "Dallas." TNT's series is based on the original series created by David Jacobs. The new "Dallas" comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television. Michael M. Robin ("The Closer") is the director and executive-producer of the pilot.