James Woods stars in CBS' new drama series Shark (airing on Global), a show about a lawyer's fall from grace.
"Our story will be about a man with overwhelming narcissism and ego who has [been] knocked down so many pegs from where he started and finds his way back by believing in justice," Woods says.
The Oscar-nominated actor (Ghosts of Mississippi and Salvador) is just one of a slew of notable film actors, including Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen and Sally Fields, who have signed on as leads in new TV series this season.
Woods, who is working with his longtime friend and mega-producer Brian Grazer, explains the transition from the silver screen from the small screen. "We've talked about this... you are getting more and more corporate thinking in making movies and also you are getting more parochial thinking.
"Movies seem to be scared whereas television seems to be like a teenager feeling his or her oats."
Though Woods analogy is a little awkward, the point he makes is crystal clear - television is where the action is. Woods is renowned for his intense portrayal of his characters. He has received two Oscar nominations - first for Best Actor in Salvador in 1987 and again, in 1996 for Best Supporting Actor in Ghosts of Mississippi.
In Shark, Woods plays Sebastian Stark, a divorced father whose teenaged daughter chooses to live with him rather than move to New York City with her mother. Stark is also a disgraced and depressed high-powered L.A. lawyer when we first meet him.
Unlike L.A. Law or The Practice, which featured ensemble casts, the star of Shark is Woods and he's on fire during his screen time.
Shark also stars Canadian Sarah Carter as a young assistant D.A. assigned to work with Woods. She's one of four young lawyers making up his formidable team of prosecutors.
"You think this is easy?" Woods jokes about arriving on set. "Five young, smart, hot-looking people, and old fat Jim coming out every day."
