Alan Cumming will return to primetime TV as the star of a new crime drama called Dr. Death, based on the upcoming James Patterson novel of the same name.

According to Deadline, "Mr. Death centers on a former CIA operative (Cumming) who has since built a “normal” life as a gifted professor and writer but is pulled back into his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer on the loose."

Cumming, fresh off his standout Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated role on The Good Wife, will also executive produce the series alongside Patterson, Royal Pains executive producer/showrunner Michael Rauch, and legendary writer Alex Kurtzman.

“It’s great to imagine Alan in the role," said Patterson. "There aren’t many stars who can convincingly play drama and comedy with effortless wit, not to mention a musical savant and crime-solving genius."

Dr. Death the novel is slated for a 2017 release to coincide with the new series premiere.