SKEET ULRICH, GERALD McRANEY, PAMELA REED, LENNIE JAMES, ASHLEY SCOTT, SPRAGUE GRAYDEN, MICHAEL GASTON, BRAD BEYER, KENNETH MITCHELL, ERIK KNUDSEN AND SHOSHANNAH STERN STAR IN "JERICHO," A NEW DRAMA PREMIERING WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

"Pilot" -- Skeet Ulrich, Gerald McRaney, Pamela Reed, Lennie James, Ashley Scott, Sprague Grayden, Michael Gaston, Brad Beyer, Kenneth Mitchell, Erik Knudsen and Shoshannah Stern star in JERICHO, a new drama about what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, plunging the residents of a small, peaceful Kansas town into chaos, leaving them completely isolated and wondering if they're the only Americans left alive, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Jon Turteltaub, one of the series' executive producers, directed the episode from a script by co-creator and executive producer Stephen Chbosky.

Fear of the unknown propels Jericho into social, psychological and physical mayhem when all communication and power is shut down. The town starts to come apart at the seams as terror, anger and confusion bring out the very worst in some residents. Jake Green, the prodigal son of the town's mayor, becomes a reluctant hero when a school bus crashes as a result of the explosion.

Mayor Johnston Green is conflicted with the return of his estranged son, but is called to action when the town begins to riot. Johnston's wife, Gail, is the strong, savvy first lady of the town who runs interference between her husband and her favorite son. Attempting to usurp the mayor's power is Johnston's political adversary Gray Anderson, who is not above putting his personal agenda before the welfare of the very community he wants to lead. Jake's brother, Eric, longs for an identity outside of his father's shadow and resents the fact that Jake is so favored by their mother.

Though the cloud appears in the distance, it affects all the residents in Jericho, including Dale Turner, the 16-year-old trailer park kid everybody picks on who finds himself in a position that could change his status; Robert Hawkins, a mysterious stranger who seems to be a jack-of-all-trades as he steps in to help restore order; Heather Lisinski, a pretty, young school teacher on the bus with her students returning from a class trip when the glare from the explosion causes a terrible accident; Emily Sullivan, Jake's high school sweetheart who lives outside of town and innocently goes about her business unaware of the catastrophe; Bonnie Richmond, a pretty 17-year-old who is hearing impaired; and Bonnie's older brother Stanley, Jake's best friend from childhood.

In the premiere episode, Jake returns to Jericho after a long absence to claim a sum of money his grandfather put aside for him. With the past five years of his life shrouded in secrecy, Jake evades questions about his whereabouts. As he heads out of Jericho bound for San Diego, Jake witnesses a nuclear explosion on the horizon- an event which instantly changes the lives of everyone. As the town faces a potentially deadly crisis, Jericho's usually sensible people become paranoid, personal agendas take over and well-kept secrets threaten to be revealed, while others will find an inner strength they never knew they had and the most unlikely heroes will emerge.

Skeet Ulrich's television credits include the series "Miracles" and the movie "The Magic of Ordinary Days" on the Network. He also starred in the cable mini-series "Into the West." Ulrich's feature film credits include "Nobody's Baby," "The Craft," "Scream," "Albino Gator," "As Good As It Gets," "The Newton Boys" and "Chill Factor."

Gerald McRaney's popularity and longevity are best demonstrated by the fact that he has starred in a CBS series for 18 consecutive years. First he spent eight years as private investigator Rick Simon in "Simon & Simon," then he went on to become the nation's favorite U.S. Marine in "Major Dad," and then was Russell Greene in "The Promised Land." He made his first appearance in "Deadwood" in the final episode of its second season. McRaney's additional television credits include "JAG," on the Network, and the movies "Take Me Home: The John Denver Story," "Nothing Lasts Forever," "Not My Son" and "Deadly Vows" on the Network. He also starred in the critically acclaimed Off Broadway hit play "The Exonerated." In addition to his acting credits, McRaney directed episodes of "Simon and Simon," "Major Dad" and the television movie "Love and Curses and All That Jazz," on which he served as co-executive producer and co-starred with his wife, actress Delta Burke. He was also the executive producer of "Major Dad."

Pamela Reed's film credits include "Glory Days," "Proof of Life," "Bob Roberts," "Kindergarten Cop" and "The Right Stuff." Her television credits include the series "Grand" and "Judging Amy" on the Network. Reed's other credits include "Pepper Dennis," "Home Court" and "The Simpsons." Green's television movies include "Carriers," "Woman with a Past" and "Caroline," on the Network.

English actor Lennie James has appeared in many feature films including "Sahara," "Snatch," "24 Hour Party People," "Lucky Break," "Les Miserables" and "Lost in Space." His numerous television credits include "State Within," "The Family Man," "A Midsummer Nights Dream," "Without You," BAFTA winning "Buried," and BAFTA nominated "Storm Damage," which he also wrote.

Ashley Scott was a series regular in the television series "Dark Angel" and "Birds of Prey." Her feature film credits include "Strange Wilderness," "American Standard," "Into the Blue," "SWAT" and "A.I."

Sprague Grayden starred as Anita in the HBO series "Six Feet Under" and had a recurring role as Joan's best friend, Judith Montgomery, in "Joan of Arcadia," on the Network. She recently starred in "Over There," Steven Bochco's ensemble drama which explored the lives of a select group of Army soldiers in combat overseas and the families they left behind. Grayden also starred in "John Doe" opposite "Prison Break's" Dominic Purcell.

Michael Gaston's film credits include "Hackers," "Lonely Hearts," "Far from Heaven," "High Crimes," "Double Jeopardy," "Cop Land," "Ransom" and "The Crucible." His television credits include "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Without a Trace," "NCIS" and "The Guardian," all on the Network. Gaston's other television credits include "Blind Justice," "Prison Break," "Ed," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Practice," "Ally McBeal" and "The Sopranos." Gaston also starred in the Broadway production of "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg."

Brad Beyer had a two-season recurring role in "Third Watch." He guest starred in "Sex and The City," "Law & Order" and "Hack" and "CSI: Miami," both on the Network. He starred in the television movies "Monday Night Mayhem" and "Gargoyles." Beyer's feature film credits include starring roles in the independent films "Trick," "Enough Already," "The Perfect You," "Way Off Broadway" as well as the feature films "The General's Daughter," "Crazy in Alabama," "Sorority Boys" and "Mr. Woodstock," a comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton to be released later this season.

Kenneth Mitchell recently completed work on the independent film "Home of the Giants." Prior to that, he received recognition for his starring role in the acclaimed feature film "Miracle." Mitchell also was featured in "The Recruit." Mitchell's television credits include guest-starring roles in "The Unit" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," on the Network, and "Grey's Anatomy."

Erik Knudsen got his first break when he was cast in the feature film "Tribulation." Most recently, Knudsen starred in the feature films "Saw II," "The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio" and "Perseverance." Knudsen's television credits include "The Guardian," on the Network, and "Kevin Hill." Knudsen also starred in the television movies "The Family Stranger," "Blackout" and "Santa Who?"

Shoshannah Stern, television credits include guest-starring roles in "Off Centre," "Providence," "Boston Public," "ER," and "The Division." With her continuing recurring role on "Weeds" and lead role in "Jericho," Stern currently holds the distinction of being the only deaf actor in history to have significant roles in two primetime television series during the same season.

SERIES REGULARS

Jake Green: Skeet Ulrich
Johnston Green: Gerald McRaney
Emily Sullivan: Ashley Scott
Gail Green: Pamela Reed
Eric Green: Kenneth Mitchell
Rod Hawkins: Lennie James
Heather Lisinksi: Sprague Grayden
Gray Anderson: Michael Gaston
Dale Turner: Erik Knudsen
Stanley Richmond: Brad Beyer
Bonnie Richmond: Shoshannah Stern

GUEST STARS:

Gracie Leigh: Beth Grant
Stephanie Lancaster: Tiffany Thornton
Ann Green: Darby Stanchfield
Mary Bailey: Clare Carey
Mimi Clark: Alicia Coppola
Alvie Clemons: Germaine De Leon
Teresa Clemons: Marlene Fort�
Fire Chief: Alex Carter
Bill: Richard Speight Jr.
Jimmy: Bob Stephenson
Woody: Joseph Castanon
Sally: Joey King
Sheriff: Leon Russom
Norman Perry: Taylor Nichols
Shep Cale: Vic Polizos
EMT Crew Chief: Al Vicente
Julie: Ariel Winter
Lucas: MacKenzie Hannigan
Danny: Stevie Walsh Jr.
Stacy Clemons: Madison Pettis
Sara, PD Radio Operator: Princess Lucaj
Clerk: Helena Barrett
Riley: Robert C. Koch
Old Man Oliver: Bruce Bohne
Irate Father: Beau Dremann
Business Man: Steve Hibbert
Burly Man: Thom Williams

RATING: To Be Announced