FX orders new Denis Leary series ‘Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll’

Denis Leary is back in business with FX, but this time he’s trading in his firefighter gear for a microphone as he plays an aging rocker desperate for his last chance at rock ‘n’ roll fame in the comedy series “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.”

The cable channel ordered a 10-episode first season of the comedy, which stars Leary as Johnny Rock, a middle-aged singer who had a once-promising career but managed to blow it all through a combination of drinking, drugs and really poor interpersonal skills. But now he’s looking to get his old band back together and give it one last shot.

Leary created the series and wrote the first episode. He will serve as executive producer along with his partner Jim Serpico.

The New York-based series will feature original songs and is expected to include appearances from many real-life rockers. It also stars John Corbett, Elizabeth Gillies, Elaine Hendrix and Bobby Kelly.

This is Leary’s second series for FX. He co-created and starred in the drama “Rescue Me,” which ran for seven seasons and featured Leary as a troubled firefighter in post 9/11 New York City.

“Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” joins another music industry series, “Empire,” on Fox, an upcoming drama set in the world of hip-hop. An HBO pilot, set in the world of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1970s from executive producers Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger, is currently shooting in New York as well.

Leary’s series will premiere on FX in 2015.

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