Nellie Andreeva

In a recasting, Margo Martindale has been tapped for a co-starring role in CBS’ untitled Susannah Grant supernatural medical drama pilot. Jonathan Demme is directing the pilot, which centers on Michael (Patrick Wilson), an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife (Jennifer Ehle), a doctor running a free clinic, dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the hereafter. Gersh-repped Martindale will play Michael’s sassy and strong-willed assistant Rita. Martindale replaces Law & Order veteran S. Epatha Merkerson who was originally cast in the role. The recasting was made shortly after Merkerson began filming the pilot. Tony-nominated Martindale has been recurring on FX’s Justified.

Veteran Hector Elizondo has joined ABC’s untitled Tim Allen comedy pilot. The multicamera project, from writer Jack Burditt, centers on Tim Fitzgerald (Allen) who, even though the world around him has declared the traditional male an “endangered species,” is fighting for his manhood in a world that is being increasingly dominated by women. Elizondo, repped by Gersh and manager Mark Teitelbaum, will play his boss at the Euclid Demolition Company who steps down from his post and makes Tim the president of the company.

Stella Maeve has landed the last lead in the NBC comedy pilot Lovelives. The multi-camera comedy revolves around married couple Tim (Ryan Hansen) and Holly (Amanda Loncar) who, along with Tim’s siblings Blake (Sean Maguire) and Maddie (Maeve), and Blake’s sarcastic ex-wife Kate (Smith Cho), navigate the twists and turns of love in New York City. Maeve, repped by Abrams Agency and Principato-Young, recurred on Gossip Girl.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.