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EXCLUSIVE: In her first regular TV series gig, Kerry Washington has signed on to topline Shonda Rhimes’ untitled drama pilot for ABC aka In Crisis. Actor-dancer-choreographer Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) is set to co-star in the pilot based on the career of famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith. The pilot, from ABC Studios, revolves around the life and work of professional fixer Olivia Price (Washington) and her dysfunctional staff. Olivia Price is described as something of a legend, a formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless woman. Short will play a lawyer on her team.
From the get-go, Washington had been a front-runner for the lead, which was written African American, something very unusual for a network drama. The rest of the roles on the pilot are being cast colorblind, which is also how Rhimes cast Grey’s Anatomy. CAA-repped Washington, known for such movies as Ray and The Last King of Scotland, recently co-starred in For Colored Girls. On TV, she recurred on Boston Legal and 100 Centre Street. Short, repped by CAA and Brillstein, recurred on NBC’s Aaron Sorkin drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
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Kerry Washington is a huge get. I had a feeling she was willing to consider television. Going with a Shonda pilot is smart. Good for Columbus too. He’s a decent actor.
I cannot wait for this pilot. If it is Shonda through and through, which I am hoping it will be, then it will be a hit. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ an awesome show. (Start the backlashing begin! It’s been on seven seasons and is currently experiencing a rebirth of sorts – what has YOUR show done lately?) I find this line of work so interesting, and there is ample story available.
I’m a huge fan of these diversity talents. It’s so great to read this! CONGRATS and BREAK A LEG!!!
The Nets sure are going big with topline actors producers writers and directors from the big screen this season. Think that’s great to see. They want eyeballs and top talent can do that
As uneven as Shonda’s shows are, I absolutely love that she casts colorblind. It reflects the diversity of our nation, and I really appreciate it as a person of color.
Yay!
Diversity, shemervsity. Kerry Washington’s smoking hot. I’d tune in to watch her read the phone book.
Shonda and ABC made an excellent choice. This woman is a born star. The script is great too. Looking forward to it.
David Mamet called Kerry Washington one of the best actresses he’s ever directed. I think she’s too good for this crap and probably doing it for Shonda as a fave because I’m willing to bet the material isn’t all that.
No it really is Shonda’s best script yet. It read more like Damages meets West Wing than Grey’s Anatomy.
Jason: That sounds promising. Because, although I am excited about Kerry Washington and Columbus Short starring in a broadcast net show, I hate everything Shonda Rhimes has touched. If it’s more like “Damages” and less like “Grey’s”, that’s a good thing.
You are high dude… Although “her best script” is probably accurate. The bar wasn’t high to clear. But to compare it to West Wing is ridiculous. When you read the script, you can almost hear it pleading to be “like” West Wing… But it’s not even close.
This. Is. Gonna. Be. GREAT!
Sounds great. Go Shonda! Go Kerry!
Sincerely wishing you both the best on this new project, ‘In Crisis’ !!!
(On another note, someone needs to write a star vehicle for Kerry that will finally give her a shot an Oscar. Her inimitable talent is too great to not deserve that sort of super role!)
Dear Kerry,
STOP HAVING COSMETIC SURGERY. You are young and (formerly) naturally beautiful, but about three years ago you took a most unexpected turn onto Vivica Street and are rapidly approaching Cher Expressway. Turn back now, before it’s too late!
Yours sincerely
Baffled fan
She hasn’t done one thing to her face. What is wrong with you people?
I knew Kerry way back in Jr. High & High school and trust me, she has NOT had any work done. She’s always been gorgeous.
casting kerry washington is a bad move. i’d rather see a new face.
To each his own but I’d look at Kerry Washington’s face all day err day. And to keep it really real, networks aren’t exactly bending over backwards to find new faces that don’t come with blond hair and blue eyes.
wow, so many movie actors are now jumping to do tv. uhmmm… winona ryder, when are you going to migrate to television?
@Elia- You must not realize the term “diversity talents” is plain fucking racist. You are marginalizing and ignorant or perhaps just uninformed.
You continue to post this phase again and again on the DH boards.
What term should I use, Richard? I am open to change.
So glad to see the overwhelmingly positive response here to the casting of Kerry Washington. I always thought she was genuinely talented. Although I’m concerned that she’s going from the big screen to the small one, I recognize that the belt-tightening going on in Hollywood right now is forcing lots of movie actors to network and cable tv. Maybe this is the beginning of a paradigm shift. We could use it.
Brava Kerry!
@baffled fan – just like halle berry, Kerry’s offers increased the moment she started messing with her face, so don’t bother telling black actresses to stop with cosmetic surgery when it obviously increases their chances of success. your complaint is with hollywood, not kerry.
Her offers come from her talent. This woman is barely in her 30s. Her face is the same it’s always been.
Judy Smith is famous? News to me and 99% of the world.
Puhleeze, not another affirmative action show displaying angry blacks. Thanks but no thanks.
“From the get-go, Washington had been a front-runner for the lead, which was written for an African American, something very unusual for a network drama.”
Does anyone know why this is very unusual??
Read all of the racist posts on this blog that slither here from The Drudge Report, & it will never be unusual to you again.
Where to start, Ron Mexico? It is very hard to name ten shows, either on network and/or cable, with diversity leads. (For example, on the show HOUSE, Hugh Laurie is the lead.)
Good for Washington – she has quietly been doing good, solid work for years. She’s a terrific actress.
I second that motion… I’ve been a fan of hers since “Lift”.
Wow..I’m so excited and can’t wait for this to air..I’m a great fan of both Shonda and Kerry.. Kerry I’ve loved since Last King of Scotland..she played that role with such passion.. Shonda I’ve loved and still love cause every episode of Grey’s Anatomy leaves me wanting more..
ACTUALLY I WOULD LOVE TO HaVE SEEN A STRONGER ACTRESS AS LEAD….TRACIE THOMS!!! AUDIENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FOR TREAT!
Yeah. Kerry’s not the best african-american actress, but she’s young-ish, she’s attractive and she’s a decent actress. the looks factor is more important than talent to the networks (just look at UNDERCOVERS if you doubt what I’m saying!)
I remember Kerry when she was on that educational pbs show and had a geri curl – LOL!! you’ve come a long way, my dear…
I think she is the best actress. How many awards has she been up for and won? Have you seen Last King of Scotland? Ray? The Dead Girl? Night Catches Us? She is a chameleon. She’s our black Meryl Streep and will one day have an Oscar.
I have been a fan of Kerry Washington since ,her best performance to date, the movie, “Lift”. She is unbelievably attractive & sexy and have the acting talent to match. She deserves to have a major film career. But, I guess if Halle Berry & Salma Hayek are struggling filmwise- the best thing for her to do , to earn a decent income is to do tv. You know it is sad when non-acting Scarlett Johannson and mediocre Kate Hudson is getting more film offers than Ms. Washington.
This is excellent news. I hope neither one drops out of the pilot!
Kerry will be the bomb! She’s stunning, talented, and her classically trained skills will benefit the part. I’ll bet ratings will go up because of her.
In response to the plastic surgery comments, I’m 100% Kerry hasn’t done anything ( other than diet too much and get on a treadmill, aged her somewhat.
But her face is hers, like many black women who have the same lips,etc. They don’t need to get fillers or do crap because they’re born like that.