Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Scott Cohen will co-star opposite Callie Thorne in the USA pilot Necessary Roughness. Meanwhile, Sara Rue has joined CBS’ comedy series Rules of Engagement as a recurring, with Joan Collins tapped for a key guest spot on the CBS sitcom. Both Roughness and Rules are produced by Sony TV.

Roughness centers on tough, sexy Long Island divorcee Danielle Santino (Thorne), who, to make ends meet, becomes the therapist for a professional football team and quickly becomes sought after by other athletes, musicians, politicians and those living in the spotlight. Cohen, repped by Gersh and One Management, will play a “fixer” for a football franchise who works closely with Danielle.

On Rules, former Less Than Perfect star Rue will recur as Brenda, Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price)’s new surrogate. In a November sweeps episode, Dynasty alumna Collins will play Bunny Dunbar, the mother of Russell Dunbar (David Spade).

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