Don Johnson says starring in 'Blood and Oil' like 'putting on old comfortable blue jeans'

NEW YORK -- Iconic actor Don Johnson is taking on a new prime time leading role on ABC's "Blood and Oil".

Johnson stars as oil tycoon Hap Briggs who is known as "The Barron of the Bakken" of North Dakota.

Johnson said it is fun playing Briggs because, "He's a larger than life character, billionaire, wildcatter, river boater gambler kind of guy."

The show is set in a boomtown atmosphere almost like the gold rush in 1849, but now oil was discovered in the "Bakken" formation in western North Dakota in the early 1950's but it just became recoverable in 2008. That 7.4 billion recoverable barrels of oil set the scene for a battle of greed, lust, and family dysfunction.

The show follows a young couple who moves to the area to try to make it big, but it's no surprise that Briggs gets in their way and forces them to bet big.

Johnson says that the rest of the cast are just "beautiful, handsome people." He's referring to Chase Crawford, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Amber Valletta, and Scott Michael Foster among others.

Best known for his roles on "Miami Vice" and "Nash Bridges" Johnson says he's happy to return to yet another leading role of a dramatic series. "For me it's kind of like putting on an old comfortable pair of blue jeans, oh yeah, I know what this is, this is bring it and bring it now," Johnson said.

Don't miss the big premiere of "Blood and Oil" this Sunday night at 9/8c on ABC!