James Gandolfini

With its more recent series taking them in period (Boardwalk Empire), fantasy (Game of Thrones), and youth-oriented (Girls) directions, HBO may be returning to the tried-and-true. Deadline reports that the premium cable network has ordered James Gandolfini's Criminal Justice pilot, written by Steven Zaillian and Richard Price. The series is based on a foreign drama (just like Showtime's hit Homeland!) wherein the accused person of the season journeys through the system, from law to order. Mr. Gandolfini is said to play a "disheveled jailhouse lawyer"--a different side of the chasm between do-gooder and wrongdoer than he's used to, at least.