Ted Danson joins HBO comedy pilot

Ted Danson has signed up for a lead role in new HBO comedy pilot Bored To Death.

The actor, who received critical acclaim for his part in FX's Damages last year, will star alongside I Heart Huckabees actor Jason Schwartzman in the project.

While Schwartzman is set to play an alcoholic New York writer who pretends to be a private detective, Danson will take on the role of the character's closest friend, a "pompous" magazine editor, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Danson will also be seen in at least three more episodes of Damages when the legal thriller returns for a second season next year. He has already picked up an Emmy nomination for his performance as Arthur Frobisher on the show.