CBS Orders Robert De Niro, Bryan Cranston-Produced Drama Pilots

Con-man drama “Sneaky Pete” finds “Breaking Bad” star pairing with “House” boss David Shore

Robert De Niro

CBS added to its drama pilot arsenal Friday night, ordering pilots that count Robert De Niro and “Breaking Bad”star Bryan Cranston among their executive producers.

Based on the James Patterson novel “The Thomas Berryman Number,” “For Justice,” which DeNiro is executive producing, follows an FBI agent who works in the Criminal Section of the Department of Civil Rights Division who finds herself caught between the radical family she was born into and the professional family she has chosen.

Rene Balcer (“Law & Order) is writing as well as executive producing “For Justice,” which is produced by CBS Television Studios.

Jane Rosenthal, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Berry Welsh and Leopoldo Gout are also executive producing.

“Sneaky Pete,” meanwhile, features Bryan Cranston as a co-writer on the story and as an executive producer, with “House” honcho David Shore writing and executive producing.

The Sony Pictures Television pilot focuses on a 30-something con man who, upon leaving prison, takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of a cellmate.  “Sneaky Pete” then hides out from his debtors while working for his new “family’s” bail bond business. There he uses his considerable charm and criminal prowess to take down bad guys far worse than himself, partnering with a very attractive female “cousin” who has her suspicions about his real motives.

James Degus serves as an executive producer, with Erin Gunn co-executive producing.

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