Known best for his Emmy-nominated, Golden Globe-winning seven-year run as Bobby Donnell on 'The Practice,' Dylan McDermott is finally returning to TV ... and to his dramatic roots.

In TNT's 'Dark Blue' (premieres Wed., July 15, 10PM ET), McDermott's character, Carter Shaw, is the leader of a group of extremely undercover cops. Carter proves that not all TV cops are donut-eaters or off-the-grid renegade law enforcers ... some are just really brooding, intense and great at getting the job done.

McDermottt opened up to us about his action-packed (and, apparently, very sexy) new show, how he ended up on cable and why you'll catch him spending time with 'SpongeBob' and the Jonas Brothers. -- By Maggie Furlong