Jimmy Smits stars in "Outlaw" One of NBCs New Dramas

NBC announced its 2010-11 primetime schedule recently and is highlighted by five new comedies, seven new drama series and one new alternative program, including shows from such innovative hit-makers as J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley, among others. Outlaw starring Jimmy Smits is one of the chosen few.

Outlaw, with Emmy Award winner Smits (NYPD Blue, West Wing), is a new drama from executive producer John Eisendrath (Alias, Felicity, Playmakers).

Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a U.S. Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position. A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now that he’s quit the bench and returned to private practice, he’s determined to represent "the little guy" and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today’s biggest legal cases. And he's making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way.

Outlaw is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Reservation Road), Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger (Andy Barker, P.I.). Outlaw is written by Eisendrath and directed by George.

The schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and five comedies on Thursdays. Tuesdays will continue to combine the similar appeal of The Biggest Loser with Parenthood, and Fridays will team Who Do You Think You Are? and the new series School Pride with Dateline NBC in addition to Outlaw.

NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary Saturday Night Live special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series' long and eventful run on NBC since 1975.