Patrick Swayze, who was earlier in the year diagnosed with dangerous pancreatic cancer, returned to work this week to film the new A&E series "The Beast" in Chicago. The cable channel ordered 13 episodes of the one-hour drama, which will star Swayze as an unorthodox FBI agent being pursued by a secret Internet Affairs team.

Of his role, Swayze said in a statement, "I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multi-layered, unpredictable and downright entertaining, as well as a project this current and cutting-edged."

Swayze will continue treatment as he films for the next four months, and while his doctors refrain from using the words "cured" or "remission," he appears much healthier than when first diagnosed. Swayze spoke to a photographer about his prospects, saying, "I'm a miracle, dude. I don't know why."