Michael J. Fox to helm new comedy series on NBC

Sha-la-la-la! Michael J. Fox is returning to NBC.

After reports of a planned comeback for the 51-year-old actor began making the rounds last week, it’s now official: Fox will star in a loosely autobiographical comedy about a husband and father of three from New York dealing with family, career and other life challenges — including Parkinson’s. It’s a homecoming of sorts, putting Fox back on the network that began airing “Family Ties’ three decades ago.

The untitled single-camera comedy was given a straight-to-series order by the network with a 22-episode commitment.

“To bring Michael J. Foxback to NBC is a supreme honor and we are thrilled that one of the great comedic television stars is coming home again,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt in a statement. “From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board. He is utterly relatable, optimistic, and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create — and the vivid family characters surrounding him — will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious. Being in business with him is a supreme pleasure.”

Fox won three Emmys and a Golden Globe Award for his turn as the baby-faced conservative son with a briefcase on “Family Ties,” which wrapped its seven-season run in 1989. And he would find film success with movies such as “Teen Wolf” and the “Back to the Future” franchise, among others.

His return to NBC also marks his return to headlining a series since leaving “Spin City” in 2000, two years after the actor revealed he was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, a disorder of the central nervous system.

“I’m extremely pleased to be back at NBC with a great creative team and a great show,” said Fox. “Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I’m excited to get to work.”

Fox has had a presence on TV in recent years with guest stints on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” FX’s “Rescue Me” and CBS’ “The Good Wife.”

The comedy, being produced by Sony Pictures Television, will begin filming this year and is expected to roll out next fall.

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Follow Yvonne Villarreal on Twitter: @villarrealy