a legal mind

Gabriel Macht, known to many for his role in 'The Spirit,' is getting a very 'Legal' state of mind.

Macht has joined the cast of USA Network's new procedural, 'A Legal Mind.' According to Ausiello Files, Macht will play Harvey, a successful attorney at a well-respected Manhattan law firm. Macht's character hires Mike (Patrick J. Adams), a slacker -- yet smart -- college kid who doesn't have a law degree.

The pilot episode was written by Aaron Krosh ('The Deep End'). Krosh will serve as an executive producer along with Doug Liman, Gene Klein and David Bartis.

And in other TV news today ...

Though news is focused on the major networks and their upfronts this week, development deals are taking place elsewhere on the television landscape. As an example, The Hollywood Reporter reports that USA has greenlit two new pilots that will begin shooting this summer.

The first is 'A Legal Mind.' Executive produced by Doug Liman ('The O.C.,' 'Knight Rider,' 'The Bourne Ultimatum'), the story involves a young man who gets a job at a huge corporate law firm. The catch: he doesn't have a college degree. The second pilot is 'Necessary Roughness,' about a tough, divorced, female sports therapist.

USA, hot off its 15th-consecutive quarterly win, has become basic cable's number-one network -- and it's not about to rest on its laurels.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the network is getting ready to launch seven new shows, and for them, it's all about quality programming. "These new projects all combine strong characters and superior storytelling, offering viewers the kind of exceptionally written, aspirational originals they won't find anywhere else," said President of Original Programming Jeff Wachtel in a statement.

So what does it have in the hopper? First up is 'Robyn,' a modern-day Robin Hood with a bit of a twist: This time, it'll be a woman stealing from the rich to give to the poor in this update from Becky Hartman Edwards ('Parenthood').