The deal, worth an estimated seven figures, marks LL Cool J‘s return to prime-time television after the rapper/actor’s stint as "Marion Hill" in the television series In The House, which aired on NBC and UPN.

According to terms of the deal, the rapper will have freedom and access to various producers and actors, whether with the networks in-house studio producers or outside. LL chose CBS after strong interest from other major networks.

In July of 2005, LL Cool J and Alchemy Entertainment inked a multiyear movie production deal with Lions Gate films. The first film under that pact is a thriller titled Overnight.