Norman Macdonnell an anthology series they had done. Their boss at CBS, Harry Ackerman, and other network executives dismissed that title, preferring "Gunsmoke", a program heading that Ackerman himself was credited with conceiving. Once given permission to proceed with "Gunsmoke", Macdonnell began developing a detailed production schedule for the new series' 30-minute episodes and arranging auditions to cast its recurring characters. His and Meston’s "Jeff Spain" soon became United States Marshal Matt Dillon, and veteran voice actor William Conrad was chosen by Macdonnell, Meston, and two other CBS screeners to portray that lead character. Other seasoned actors soon filled the needed regular
Hugh Dillon a 2007 Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "". He starred opposite Vera Farmiga in the Sundance Film Festival award-winning movie, "Down to the Bone". Dillon has guest-starred on various television programs, including "The Eleventh Hour", "ReGenesis", "". He has also created voice-overs a number of television and radio advertisements. Dillon starred as Mike Sweeney in the Canadian dramatic series "Durham County". His performance earned him a Gemini nomination for Best Actor in 2008; the show itself won five Gemini awards and its second season was aired on TMN and Movie Central. Dillon starred as Sergeant