When a Legal Superstar Changes Sides

by editor2
September 21st, 2006

Prosecutors on television are almost invariably stern and self-righteous — prissy counterpoints to flamboyant, slippery defense attorneys.

“Shark,” a new drama on CBS, has it the other way around: the lead prosecutor in Los Angeles’s high-profile crime unit earned his predatory nickname by being ruthless, glib and sleazy.

Naturally he is played by James Woods.

There aren’t that many living actors who can tap into the joys of villainy. Kevin Spacey is one, and certainly James Spader has had great moments. Mr. Woods, however, has been doing it longer, in a career that spans “The Onion Field” and the voice of Hades in the animated movie “Hercules.” He is fearless, as demonstrated by his recent self-parodying cameo on “Entourage.”

As Sebastian Stark, a high-priced trial lawyer who switches sides, Mr. Woods has found a television role that suits his gift and runs away with it. And that could be one reason Spike Lee chose to direct the pilot episode.

Television provides actors and directors a chance to think small and dig deep, the opposite of what Hollywood movies demand. Jerry Bruckheimer moves nimbly from movie to television series, and increasingly so does Brian Grazer, a producer of “The Da Vinci Code,” who is also an executive producer of “Shark.”

Source :http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/arts/television/21stan.html?8dpc