After spending years as the star of ABC's long-running comedy 'According to Jim,' Jim Belushi is eschewing the laughs for more dramatic fare: He's been cast in CBS' legal pilot 'Defenders,' says the Hollywood Reporter.

The actor is one of two leads in this hourlong drama, which follows a pair of impassioned Las Vegas defense attorneys who'll stop at nothing to defend their clients. Belushi is set to play a boozy, maritally-challenged lawyer named Nick Mancini. Carol Mendelsohn of 'CSI' serves as one of 'Defenders' executive producers.After spending years as the star of ABC's long-running comedy 'According to Jim,' Jim Belushi is eschewing the laughs for more dramatic fare: He's been cast in CBS' legal pilot 'Defenders,' says the Hollywood Reporter.

The actor is one of two leads in this hourlong drama, which follows a pair of impassioned Las Vegas defense attorneys who stop at nothing to defend their clients. Belushi is set to play a boozy, maritally-challenged lawyer named Nick Mancini. Carol Mendelsohn of 'CSI' serves as one of 'Defenders' executive producers.

Brother of the late John Belushi, Jim -- also credited as James -- got his training at Chicago's Second City improve troupe, and was also a cast member of 'Saturday Night Live' during the 1980s.

Despite cutting his teeth on comedic roles, however, Belushi is no stranger to drama: Prior to this 'Defenders' role, the actor had done a guest spot on 'ER' and starred in the short-lived '90s series 'Total Security,' a detective drama from 'Murder One' and 'NYPD Blue' producers Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee and David Milch.

What do you think? Would you be willing to see Belushi in a dramatic role?