Michael J. Fox has begun filming his new TV show.

The 'Back to the Future' actor - who suffers from Parkinson's disease, a debilitating condition which affects the nervous system - was spotted in New York City filming the pilot episode of 'The Henrys', braving the freezing temperatures in a light jacket on the third day of shooting.

However, despite the chilly conditions, Michael was unconcerned, with crew members describing him as a ''doll'' to work with.

The outdoor scenes were the first away from those shot already on location in an apartment in the city, though a source told the New York Daily News newspaper the property will be recreated on a stage when shooting resumes in May.

'The Henrys' sees 51-year-old Michael - who has children Sam, 23, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 17, and Esme, 11, with wife Tracy Pollan - play a local newscaster who is married with three children.

A source said: ''The show is really based on his life.''

Michael has previously spoken of his excitement about the new show.

He said: ''I wake up every day and I feel good and if I don't go forward with something like this, it's another day wasted when I should be doing what I'm doing.

''I'm really excited about [the show]. It's a great idea and it's a great group of people I'm working with and NBC has been really supportive of the idea.''