Michael Weatherly energized by his new CBS series ‘Bull’

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Michael Weatherly said playing a character based on Dr. Phil in the upcoming CBS series “Bull” was just what the doctor ordered.

Weatherly was a regular cast member on CBS’ procedural, “NCIS,” and left at the end of last season.

“I really felt happy with the resolution of the character and my time on the show,” he said. “I wasn’t burnt out (by ‘NCIS’) but I was ready for a new challenge. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest,” Weatherly told TV critics Wednesday at an annual summer press event.

“Michael is a star and I think we’ve created a star part for him,” said executive producer Paul Attanasio.

“He’s just really good with dialogue and writers inherently like actors who can do lines and Michael can really do lines. He’s just got fantastic comic timing,” he said.

In “Bull,” Weatherly is Dr. Jason Bull, who works for a trial consulting firm. McGraw himself worked in that field before he became a TV personality. He advised Oprah Winfrey on her legal case when she was sued by Texas cattle ranchers for defamation. Winfrey liked his no nonsense attitude, and she put him on her show.

“Bull” premieres Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. EDT on CBS.

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Online:

http://www.cbs.com/shows/bull/