New ABC series for Jimmy Smits

Actor will first do a guest stint on NBC's ‘West Wing’

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updated 11:17 a.m. ET Aug. 31, 2004

LOS ANGELES - Jimmy Smits will return to ABC to star in his own series and produce other shows after his term as a congressman on NBC’s “The West Wing” is over, ABC said.

Smits previously starred in the ABC police drama “NYPD Blue” from 1994 to 1998.

“Jimmy’s a one-of-a-kind star and we feel fortunate that he’s decided to once again be part of the family,” Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Primetime Entertainment, said Monday.

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Through his El Sendero Productions, Smits will serve as executive producer of the shows that could air on ABC or other outlets owned by The Walt Disney Co.

NBC announced last week that Smits will play a three-term congressman from Houston with “presidential aspirations” on “The West Wing,” which returns for its sixth season on Oct 20.

Martin Sheen plays fictional Democratic President Josiah Bartlet, now serving his second term on the political drama.

New “West Wing” cast members without presidential aspirations are Marley Shelton (“Uptown Girls”) and Mary McCormack (USA’s miniseries “Traffic”), who turn their guest roles from last season into full-time jobs.