U.S. actor Christian Slater may serve as the lead in the forthcoming ABC series "The Forgotten," The Hollywood Reporter says.

Zap2it.com said Thursday, citing the Reporter announcement, Slater is negotiating for the lead in the new drama about a former police officer investigating cases with anonymous victims.

The series was picked up by ABC in May, but lead actor Rupert Penry-Jones left the show a short while later.

Actress Reiko Aylesworth, known best for playing Michelle Dessler on "24," also departed the show after its pilot episode.

The pilot is scheduled to premiere on Sept. 22 with Jerry Bruckheimer producing alongside Jonathan Littman and director Danny Cannon.

Zap2it.com said the pilot, written by Mark Friedman, would mark Slater's return to television following his lead role in NBC's "My Own Worst Enemy."