Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: ABC Family’s newly picked up comedy series The Great State of Georgia is recasting one of the leads. Veteran Loretta Devine is joining the cast of the sitcom, which centers on Georgia (Raven Symone), an exuberant curvy performer from the south, and her science geek best friend Jo (Majandra Delfino) who try to make headway in New York City. Devine will play the flamboyantly effusive Aunt Honey, a Southern grande dame in a silk Open robe and fur-trimmed mules, who is Georgia and Jo’s landlady and a dear friend of Georgia’s late mother. Devine, who has been recurring on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, replaces Meagen Fay who played the role in the pilot.

Bailey Chase has joined Damages‘ upcoming season on DirecTV for a major recurring arc. Details on his storyline are being kept under wraps but he is said to be a potential love interest to Rose Byrne. Chase, repped by Gersh and Untitled, co-starred on TNT’s Saving Grace.

Australian up-and-comer Kassandra Clementi has landed a supporting role on the VH1 series Single Ladies (form. Flavor Unit), exec produced by Queen Latifah, which stars Stacey Dash, Lisa Raye and Charity Shea as 3 Atlanta best friends. Clementi, repped by Evolution and Aussie agent Aran Michael, will play Dash’s rebellious intern.

Elizabeth Bogush (The Forgotten) rounds out the cast of A&E’s pilot Big Mike, starring Greg Grunberg as a plus-size detective. Bougush will play his ex-wife.

Laura Bell Bundy rounds out the cast of another cable pilot, TBS’ Hound Dogs. The project centers on minor league team the Nashville Hound Dogs and its recovering gambling addict general manager (Tom Verica) as they try to handle life’s ups and downs. Bundy joins previously cast Darrell Hammond, Rob Mayes, Chris Butler, Megan Ferguson, Harry Lennix and Ness Buatista.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.