Russell Hornsby, best known for his work on Grimm, returns to NBC in a pilot titled Lincoln. Lincoln is based on a novel by Jeffery Deaver, and the film The Bone Collector, which starred Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Hornsby will star as Lincoln Rhyme, the role played by Washington in the film, who’s a detective consumed with capturing a notorious serial killer known as the Bone Collector.
Hornsby starred on NBC’s Grimm as Hank Griffin for six seasons. Not limited to television work, Hornsby co-starred in the film Fences, which Washington starred in and directed. Hornsby’s role in Lincoln may be seen as a nod to The Bone Collector film, since he has acting ties to Washington. Hornsby’s recent credits also include the Netflix hit series Seven Seconds and The Hate U Give. Now, Hornsby is set to return to NBC, as the network has added him to the cast of Lincoln.
According to Deadline, Hornsby will play Lincoln Rhyme - a legendary forensic criminologist who became seriously injured during an accident searching for the Bone Collector. However, it’s still not been confirmed if the title character of Lincoln will suffer paralysis from the neck down, as he did in the book and film. Rhyme partners up with Amelia Sachs - a sharp, young cop - to track down the Bone Collector, after evidence suggests the serial killer has reemerged. The film version of The Bone Collector did not have a sequel, so, in order for the TV series to have longevity, Lincoln will have to focus on the history of the title character. It may also serve the plot to have Rhyme and Sachs solve crimes outside the serial killer.
Lincoln is in the hands of executive producers VJ Boyd (S.W.A.T) and Mark Bianculli - who’ve also penned the pilot script. Seth Gordon, known for producing The Good Doctor, has been tapped to direct the series. As the premiere date gets closer, more details will unravel, including the additional casting choice of Rhyme’s partner, Sachs, and the notorious Bone Collector (if the identity is revealed). In the meantime, the star of Lincoln is busy with his lead role in Fox’s legal drama, Proven Innocent, although ratings for the show have been mediocre.
The pilot for Lincoln joins the list of highly anticipated crime-solving shows, including Evil, Prodigal Son and Frankenstein. It remains to be seen which pilots will provide an angle in the crime drama genre different enough to captivate an audience. Lincoln already stands a good chance with it being based on a hit film, as well as Hornsby’s raw talent at the center. The character will also pose a new challenge for Hornsby if the writers decide to limit his physical motion, as written in The Bone Collector. Even if the show does not get a full season, the pilot of Lincoln will certainly be a thought-provoking event worth watching.
Source: Deadline
