Good news for A&E Network and Patrick Swayze, they have picked up “The Beast.” Patrick Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, is set to star in the series alongside Travis Fimmel.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Beast,” from Sony, centers on an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran (Swayze) who trains a new partner (Fimmel) in his hard-edged and psychologically clever style of agenting while being pursued by a secret Internal Affairs team.

A&E has ordered 13 hour-long episodes to go into production this summer in Chicago, with a tentative premiere set for early 2009.

In a statement, Swayze did not address his health, but network execs confirmed that his doctors have cleared him to resume work.

“I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multilayered, unpredictable and downright entertaining as well as a project this current and cutting-edged,” he said.

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