Former "NYPD Blue" star Jimmy Smits has signed a new deal that will keep him with the ABC network.

The Hollywood Reporter said Smits has signed a seven-figure deal to executive produce and star in a drama or comedy series to air in the fall of 2002. Under the deal, Smits is guaranteed a 13-episode commitment of any show he develops, but if nothing comes of the pact by 2003, Smits can opt out of the deal, the report said.

When Smits quit "NYPD Blue" in 1999, he had signed a development deal with ABC, which meant he was unavailable to star in series developed at other networks. The Hollywood Reporter said Smits original deal with ABC forced him to pass on a lead role in NBC's new series "UC: Undercover."

"We've been very selective with our deals in the past few years, but there's no question that ABC was the right place for Jimmy. We look forward to the development of his new series", ABC's Stu Bloomberg told The Hollywood Reporter.

The report said Smits' TV work will run parallel to his burgeoning movie career, which includes a part in the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack Of The Clones" and an anticipated part in "Episode III" in the space movie franchise, due in 2005.