‘Chuck’ Alum Scores New USA Network Dramedy

Am I a happy TV comedy fan right now or what?!

USA Network officially announced some great news today with a press release detailing its 14-episode pickup of White Collar, an original dramedy filmed on location in New York and starring Chuck’s Bryce Larkin, better known in real life as actor Matthew Bomer (pictured at right above, with Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski).

Says USA’s Executive Vice President of Original Scripted Programming Jackie de Crinis: “‘White Collar’ is the perfect complement in our hot summer line up of character-driven originals that continue to draw loyal audiences to USA Network. The strength of the show’s lead characters, smart writing and crisp direction are key elements that we believe are the tentpoles of another compelling series.”

In addition to his recent Intersect rogue spy work, Bomer has previously done substantial time on the short-lived ABC action thriller Traveler and the Fox paranormal drama Tru Calling, as well as the recently canceled historic CBS daytime sudser Guiding Light.

On White Collar, he plays lead character Neal Caffrey, a skilled con artist who convinces his equally skilled nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeDKay, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Tell Me You Love Me, Carnivàle), to not turn him in after he escapes from prison to track down the love of his life.

In exchange for the free ride, Neal promises to lend his expertise to help the Feds nab criminals they otherwise wouldn’t be able to catch. And wouldn’t you know, Neal turns out to be pretty darn indispensable to the men in black.

Additional cast members include Tiffani Thiessen (What About Brian, Fastlane) and Willie Garson (Sex and the City, John From Cincinnati). Moreover, the 90-minute pilot episode, which is scheduled to launch the series this summer, was directed by Bronwen Hughes.

A woman who clearly knows her comedy, she has directed episodes of other top-notch series in the past, such as USA Network’s own Burn Notice, AMC’s Breaking Bad, Showtime’s The L Word, and Canada’s The Kids in the Hall, in addition to the Ben Affleck-Sandra Bullock romantic comedy Forces of Nature. That impressive background just makes me even more eager to see her latest work on White Collar.

Since I’m definitely going to be following this newcomer closely, stay tuned to Comedy Centric for future news about the show and its terrific cast.