Rob Thomas is known for taking unlikely subjects and building engaging, funny shows around them. Who would have thought that a teenage detective would be so popular, or that a group of caterers so hilarious? Well, Fox is hoping the creator of Veronica Mars and Party Down will bring some of that magic to the network in a modern update of Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables, TheWrap reports.

The potential series is described as "a primetime soap about a brilliant lawyer running a legal exoneration program who fights to evade the consequences of his own unjust conviction many years before. He must navigate high society, continue his mission of saving innocent people, and manage his tumultuous family and romantic life — all while staying one step ahead of a ruthless U.S. Attorney who refuses to let the ghosts of the past die."

Hugo's seminal novel has been translated into radio plays, musicals and stage plays as well as several different films. Last year's version starred Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe, and won Academy Awards in Best Supporting Actress (Hathaway), Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Sound Mixing.

Thomas will act as executive producer of the series along with Danielle Stokdyk and Dan Etheridge. Graham Norris is writing the pilot.