Nellie Andreeva

It is the end of January, and pilot offers to actors are going out fast and furious. Like every year, there are several actors that attract the lion’s share of offers. In the leading man category, two 40-something actors, Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler and Brotherhood alum Jason Isaacs, are red-hot, fielding a half-dozen offers each.

Among the ladies, Ugly Betty alumna Becki Newton is once again in demand despite the fact that her pilot gig could be in second position to her current series, NBC’s midseason dramedy Love Bites whose prospects are dim with a cut-back order and no premiere date set. (Love Bites co-star Greg Grunberg already booked the lead in the A&E pilot Big Mike in first position). Also sitting on multiple offers is Gilmore Girls alumna Krysten Ritter. Casting directors on several projects are also sending out feelers to Christina Applegate, who just gave birth to her first child. Other TV actors lured to return to series TV are Debra Messing, Jason Bateman, James Spader, Daniel Sunjata, Ali Larter, Lizzy Caplan  and Katee Sackhoff.

As usual, pilot casting directors’ wish lists include a lot of movie actors. Most of them will say no, but there are always a few who make the jump to TV. We already have a big one this pilot season with Ethan Hawke, who signed on to topline the Fox drama pilot Exit Strategy. Maria Bello has gotten multiple offers, with Susan Sarandon, Kim Basinger, Ryan Philippe and Kerry Washington also being approached and Julianne Moore and Naomi Watts talked about.

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