Giovanni Ribisi is set for the title role in CBS’ drama pilot Sneaky Pete, Marin Ireland will co-star in the project, written/executive produced by Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston and House creator David Shore through Sony TV. Also cast in the pilot, directed/exec produced by Seth Gordon, is Libe Barer (Parenthood).

Sneaky Pete centers on Pete/Marius (Ribisi), a thirty-something con man who, upon leaving prison, takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of a cellmate. “Sneaky Pete” then hides out from his debtors while working for his new “family’s” bail bond business. There he uses his considerable charm and criminal prowess to take down bad guys far worse than himself, partnering with the real Pete’s first cousin, Julia (Ireland), a witty single mother of two who is running the family’s bail bond business and who has her suspicions about his real motives.

Barer plays Carly, Julia’s younger sister who is always looking for trouble and finding it. The trio join previously cast Margo Martindale and Peter Gerety. Ribisi, whose previous TV series credits have been mostly on the half-hour comedy side, including Friends, My Name Is Earl and Dads, was recently seen in Selma. He is repped by CAA, Management 360 and attorney Gretchen Rush. Ireland is with ICM Partners and Brookside Artists.