Rob Estes, whose first starring role on TV was as a cop in "Silk Stalkings," is getting back into the crime-solving game.

The former "Melrose Place" regular has joined the cast of ABC's midseason crime show "The Evidence," playing a San Francisco detective whose faith in the justice system is shaken after the murder of his wife. He replaces former "Boston Public" star Nicky Katt in the show, the showbiz trade papers report.

"The Evidence," which also stars Orlando Jones and Martin Landau, offers a slightly different take on the crime procedural. Each episode will open with a videotaped log of evidence from a particular case, then follow the detectives as they sort out what each item means.

Dustin Thomason, co-author of the bestselling novel "The Rule of Four," created the show with Sam Baum. The two are executive producing with John Wells ("ER," "The West Wing") and Nelson McCormick. Gary Fleder ("Runaway Jury") directed the pilot.

Estes most recently starred in the ABC Family movie "I Do, They Don't" with his wife and former "Melrose Place" co-star, Josie Bissett. He also starred in the ABC pilot "Soccer Moms" last spring. His other TV credits include recurring parts on "Suddenly Susan," "Providence" and "Gilmore Girls."