THE US remake of the ABC's critically acclaimed hit drama Rake has taken a step closer to becoming a reality: the US network Fox has given the green light to a pilot episode.

The pilot is described as ''a character-driven comedic drama'' and will star American actor Greg Kinnear as Keegan Joye, a brilliant but selfdestructive criminal defence lawyer.

In the Australian version the same character is named Cleaver Greene and is played by actor Richard Roxburgh.

The project is being produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Most of the show's Australian creative team - Peter Duncan, Roxburgh and producer Ian Collie - has been retained by Sony as executive producers.

An outline of the pilot describes the character as an addict who is ''brilliant, frustratingly charming, and with zero filter''.

''His staggering lack of discretion and inability to self-censor land him the cases that nobody else wants, but behind that lies a resolute optimism and belief in justice that fuel his dogged determination to defend those who seem beyond redemption,'' it says.

MICHAEL IDATO