Scott Bakula is set to headline a detective drama in development at CBS from Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, marking his return to network television five years after NCIS: New Orleans ended in 2021. Deadline reported the project in October 2026. TV Insider and TheWrap confirmed the development.
Fan interest centers on what Bakula has done since the series finale and whether the new CBS drama signals a formal network comeback.
What Is Scott Bakula’s New CBS Detective Drama Project
The announcement was published in October 2026. Deadline broke the story first. TV Insider and TheWrap followed with confirmation.
The project is described as a detective drama in development at CBS. Bakula is attached to star. No official title has been released. No pilot order has been announced.
The format is a broadcast procedural. Development status remains early. CBS has not released a premiere date.
Scott Bakula Eyeing CBS Return 5 Years After NCIS New Orleans Cancellation
NCIS: New Orleans ran on CBS from 2014 to 2021. The series ended with its seventh season finale in May 2021. Bakula played Special Agent Dwayne Pride for the entire run.
The cancellation left a gap in Bakula’s network TV work. He has not headlined a CBS series since. The new detective drama would be his first regular CBS role since NCIS: New Orleans.
A return to CBS matters for career continuity. The network has a history of long-running procedurals. Bakula’s brand aligns with that format.
Scott Bakula To Headline Detective Drama In Works At CBS From Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment
Electric Entertainment is the production company behind the project. Founder Dean Devlin has a partnership history with CBS.
The drama is in works at CBS Studios. Writing team details have not been released publicly. Casting beyond Bakula is not confirmed.
Genre expectations point to a traditional detective procedural. The tone is expected to differ from NCIS: New Orleans. Comparisons to previous CBS crime dramas are being made by outlets.
How This Project Compares To NCIS New Orleans
| Element | NCIS: New Orleans | New CBS Detective Drama |
|---|---|---|
| Network | CBS | CBS |
| Lead Role | Special Agent Dwayne Pride | Undisclosed detective lead, Bakula attached |
| Run/Status | 2014-2021, ended | Development, October 2026 |
| Production | CBS Studios | CBS Studios, Electric Entertainment |
| Genre | Crime procedural, military | Detective drama |
Character type may shift from a team leader to a solo or different team dynamic. Network procedural formula is likely retained. Fans expect a fresh role distinct from Dwayne Pride.
Release Timeline, Casting Rumors, and What To Expect Next
The project is in development. No pilot pickup has been confirmed. No casting announcements beyond Bakula exist.
A potential premiere window would be CBS 2027-2028 if a pilot is ordered in the 2026-2027 cycle. That timeline is speculative.
Updates will likely come from Deadline, TV Insider and TheWrap. CBS press releases will confirm official status.
Why Scott Bakula After NCIS New Orleans Is A Major CBS Hot Topic In Late 2026
The combination of Bakula’s name, CBS, and a detective format drives interest. The five-year gap since NCIS: New Orleans adds narrative weight.
Development news is being tracked as a potential network return. Confirmation of a pilot order would raise the profile further.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Scott Bakula’s new CBS project after NCIS New Orleans?
- A: He is attached to star in an untitled detective drama in development at CBS from Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, first reported by Deadline in October 2026.
- Q: When did NCIS New Orleans end and why is this comeback notable?
- A: NCIS: New Orleans ran from 2014 to 2021 and ended with its seventh season finale in May 2021. The new drama would be Bakula’s first regular CBS role since playing Special Agent Dwayne Pride.
- Q: Has the new detective drama been officially picked up by CBS?
- A: No. The project is in early development with no official title, no pilot order, and no premiere date announced yet.
- Q: What has Scott Bakula done since NCIS New Orleans ended?
- A: He has not headlined a CBS series since the 2021 cancellation, leaving a five-year gap in network TV work before this reported return.
Extended Reading
Deadline reported Scott Bakula detective drama development at CBS with Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment in October 2026. TV Insider covered Bakula eyeing CBS return five years after NCIS: New Orleans cancellation. TheWrap reported Scott Bakula to lead detective drama in works at CBS.