NBC Will Broadcast New Michael J. Fox Show

By BRIAN STELTER

7:26 p.m. | Updated The NBC network has won the bidding war for a new sitcom starring Michael J. Fox, the actor famous for his roles on “Family Ties” and “Spin City” and for his public battle with Parkinson's disease.

The network announced Monday that it had made a 22-episode commitment to the untitled series, which will represent what it called Mr. Fox's “long-awaited return to series television on NBC, the network where it all began 30 years ago with ‘Family Ties.'” The series is scheduled to have its premiere in the fall of 2013.

In the series, Mr. Fox will play a father of three from New York City “dealing with family, career and challenges - including Parkinson's - all loosely drawn from Fox's real life,” the network said.

In a news release, the chairman of NBC Entertainment, Robert Greenblatt, said, “To bring Michael J. Fox back to NBC is a suprem e honor and we are thrilled that one of the great comedic television stars is coming home again.”

He continued: “From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board. He is utterly relatable, optimistic and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create - and the vivid family characters surrounding him - will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious. Being in business with him is a supreme pleasure.”

Mr. Fox's statement was shorter. It read: “I'm extremely pleased to be back at NBC with a great creative team and a great show. Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I'm excited to get to work.”

Mr. Fox and Sony pitched the series to all the major networks earlier this summer. News of the pitch - and the eager network buyers - was reported last week.

Mr. Fox left “Spin City” in 200 0 as the symptoms of his Parkinson's disease worsened, but recently a new regimen of drugs has made it easier for him to resume acting, according to an interview he granted to ABC in May. He recently taped guest spots on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Good Wife.”