On the heels of 'Law & Order's' cancellation, NBC announced today that it has picked up four new series for next season -- three dramas and one comedy -- and will be parting ways with newbie medical dramas 'Mercy' and 'Trauma.'

Among the dramas headed to the Peacock net is 'The Cape,' starring 'ER's' David Lyons as a policeman who is framed for a series of murders and is forced to go into hiding. Determined to be reunited with his family, Lyons' character becomes his son's favorite superhero ('The Cape') and quickly "takes the law into his own hands."

Meanwhile, 'West Wing' alum Jimmy Smits will return to the network in the drama 'Outlaw,' about a Supreme Court justice who quits his job to go work for the little man.

Rounding out the list of dramas is the latest legal series from David E. Kelley ('The Practice'; 'Ally McBeal'), 'Harry's Law.' The show stars Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates as a lawyer who unexpectedly starts her own firm with characters portrayed by Brittany Snow and Ben Chaplin.

FX schedules premiere dates for 'Nip/Tuck,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and others, 'Hung' has a big debut, Liza Minnelli is a 'Diva' and more TV news.

Let's get the bad/obvious news out of the way first: Despite what ER showrunner David Zabel told TV Guide in a recent interview, George Clooney will not -- repeat NOT -- be returning to the show for it's 15th and final season.

According to Clooney's publicist, "He is on record as saying he is not coming back. It is something he has already done. He is busy making movies." If you're an optimist, though, you can always hope for a surprise Clooney return a la the 2000 ER season finale, in which Georgie showed up at the very end of Julianna Margulies' farewell ep.

On a more positive note, there are plenty of actors who ARE joining popular existing series or are attached to promising upcoming projects. A rundown of these casting coups ensues.