Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Christine Evangelista (The Joneses), Xosha Roquemore, Josh Kelly (One Live To Live) and Nico Evers Swindell (Prince William in William & Kate) have been cast as the leads of MTV’s comedy pilot Dumb Girls, from Awkward creator/executive producer Lauren Iungerich. The ensemble project, which will be produced in-house, revolves around a group of twentysomethings. It centers on Michelle (Evangelista), who is uber-competent at her job but foolish when it comes to guys. Supported by her stalwart friends — Alex (Xosha), Danny (Josh Kelly), who admits her likes her more than a friend, and Ian (Swindell) — she mounts a plan to get the guy she likes. Iungerich is executive producing the pilot, which starts production next month, with Robyn Meisinger and Kim Fleary. Kelly, repped by Talenworks and Thruline, is a regular on One Life to Live and has not been approached yet about continuing on the show when it moves online, though that is considered likely. Evangelista is with Buchwald/Fortitude and MJ Management, Swindell is with Buchwald/Fortitude and Authentic, and Roquemore is with Principal Entertainment and SDB Partners.

Awkward, which has already been renewed for a second season, continues to do very well in the ratings, posting a 2.3 rating in persons 12-34 this week despite airing at 11:30 PM. Its freshman-season finale airs Sept. 27.

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