Damon Gupton (The Newsroom, Prime Suspect, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) has landed the lead role in AMC’s untitled Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn project, described as a legal thriller with major political, personal and ethical stakes.

It centers on a district attorney named Adam Powell who uncovers new evidence that prompts the reinvestigation of a sensational murder case.

Gupton will play Adam Powell (I read that and immediately think of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.).

LaGravenese will write and executive produce alongside Goldwyn, who will direct. By the way, Goldwyn plays President Fitzgerald Grant on Shonda Rhimes' Scandal; he's a director in his own right, helming episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Damages, Private Practice, Dexter, Justified, and others. 

Marin Ireland (Homeland, Mildred Pierce) is already attached to play the female lead.

Gupton's screen resume comprises primarily of TV work, and his lead casting in this new AMC project could very well be a career coup for the actor. He recently appeared on stage in Broadway's Tony Award-winning play Clybourne Park.

With Low Winter Sun (which includes Erika Alexander and Lennie James in its cast), and the hit series The Walking Dead (which will see Danai Gurira as heavy fan fave Michonne in its upcoming third season), AMC's original scripted programming lineup looks strong.