Patricia Heaton is executive producing and starring in “Public Interest,” a legal drama pilot from producer-director David Barrett and MPI Original Films.
Alongside Heaton, best known for playing Debra Barone in “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the cast includes Richard Schiff (“The West Wing”), James Wolk (“Mad Men”), Liana Liberato (“Scream VI”), Tiana Okoye (“Twisted Metal”), Carter Redwood (“FBI: International”) and Josh McKenzie (“La Brea”).
Barrett, who has directed more than 160 episodes of television and produced more than 225, including “Tracker,” “Law & Order,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Blue Bloods,” directs and executive produces “Public Interest.” MPI Original Films produces in partnership with Kemodo Entertainment. The pilot was written by David H. Steinberg & Keetgi Kogan with revisions from Marc Guggenheim. Production is set to begin this month in Toronto. A network or streamer is yet to be attached.
Per the official description, “Public Interest” is set at a nonprofit public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., and follows Heaton as Ingrid Erickson, “an attorney unexpectedly thrust into the firm’s top leadership role after its longtime president suffers a sudden heart attack, and her unconventional team as they fight for everyday people facing impossible odds. As the attorneys navigate high-stakes legal battles, they must also contend with office tensions, personal relationships and the emotional toll of trying to do the right thing in an increasingly complicated world.”
