LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The WB is getting a head start on its 2004-05 schedule, as the network announced today it has given a 13-episode order (including the pilot) to the drama "Jack & Bobby."

The news was given via press release this morning:

THE WB'S "JACK & BOBBY" ELECTED FIRST NEW SERIES PICKED UP FOR THE 2004-2005 SEASON

The WB Network became the first network to officially pick up a series for the fall season, ordering 13 episodes of JACK & BOBBY, it was announced today by Jordan Levin, Co-CEO of The WB.

JACK & BOBBY (which is NOT about the Kennedys) follows two high school-aged brothers (newcomer Matt Long and Logan Lerman, "The Butterfly Effect"), one of whom will grow up to become a true visionary and one of the greatest United States Presidents of all time. The show comes from executive producers Greg Berlanti ("Dawson's Creek," "Everwood"), Mickey Liddell ("Everwood," "Go") and Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing").

"In JACK & BOBBY we have found the ultimate aspirational vehicle, which combines the talents of Greg Berlanti and Thomas Schlamme and a great cast starring Christine Lahti, Matt Long and Logan Lerman," Mr. Levin said. "Greg's incredible ability to create poignant dramatic storytelling within a youthful dynamic and Thomas' incomparable expertise in translating the political arena to television have made this a very special project."

JACK & BOBBY is a powerful new drama directed by the incomparable David Nutter ("Smallville," "Without a Trace"). It follows the high school lives of Jack (Long) and Bobby McCallister (Lerman): two bright young brothers growing up under the watchful eye of their eccentric single-parent mother Grace McCallister (Lahti, "Chicago Hope"). Grace's personality is a force of nature destined to shape both of these young men's lives and secure one a place in the history books - as President of the United States. Set in the present day, the series will detail the relationship between these brothers and the people that help shape their lives, including Jack's best friend Marcus French (Edwin Hodge, "The Alamo"), their beautiful neighbor Courtney Benedict (newcomer Jessica Par�) and her father Peter Benedict (John Slattery, "Mona Lisa Smile"). With flash-forward interviews of White House staffers and the First Lady, JACK & BOBBY is a snapshot of a young man being molded to beat the odds and become this mid-century's greatest Presidential leader.

JACK & BOBBY is from Warner Bros. Television Production Inc., Berlanti/Liddell Productions and Shoe Money Productions, with executive producers Greg Berlanti, Mickey Liddell and Thomas Schlamme with writer/co-executive producer Vanessa Taylor ("Everwood").