John Corbett to star in 'NCIS: LA' spinoff

John Corbett is the new NCIS franchise star.

The United States of Tara actor has landed a lead role in CBS’ NCIS: LA spinoff. He’ll play one of a small mobile team of “Red Team” agents who are forced to live and work together as they crisscross the country solving crimes.

Corbett will play Roy Quaid, a former NCIS Special Agent forced to retire from active service, Roy now works as an Analyst. While no longer an active agent, Roy is the most experienced investigator working for Red Team, a fact that’s not lost on any of the other agents.

The pilot episode will air as a special NCIS: LA episode later this season (yes, it’s a spinoff of a spinoff of a spinoff!). Corbett’s breakout role was on another CBS hit series, 1990’s Northern Exposure, and he recently had an arc on NBC’s Parenthood. He also starred in the 2003 FX series Lucky. If greenlit to series, this could practically give Corbett a TV gig for life given the durability of the hit franchise (but no pressure!).

What do you think? Does Corbett have what it takes to be the next Jethro Gibbs? Or at least the next Agent Callen?