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In what would be his first series-regular gig, Cuba Gooding Jr is set as the lead in Fox’s legal drama pilot Guilty, from Marc Guggenheim and Greg Berlanti. The project, written by Guggenheim and to be directed by McG, centers on William “Billy” Remz (Gooding), a brilliant, morally questionable defense attorney who, after being falsely convicted of fraud and stripped of his legal license, uses his unorthodox methods to solve the cases he’s been prohibited from handling … and to exact revenge on those who set him up. Guggenheim, Berlanti, McG and Peter Johnson executive produce the pilot for Warner Bros TV. While broadcast networks very rarely cast black actors as the leads of drama series, this pilot season we have two such projects – Guilty and ABC’s Last Resort, toplined by Andre Braugher. Additionally, Kerry Washington plays the lead in ABC’s upcoming midseason drama series Scandal. Gooding Jr, best known for his Oscar-winning turn in Jerry Maguire, recently co-starred in George Lucas’ Red Tails.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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More minority scoring leads in new pilots. Kudos to all thinking outside the box! GOOD LUCK AND KEEP UP THE INNOVATIVE WORK!!!
Congrats to Cuba, he deserves this
We are overjoyed. -signed the people formerly known as slaves
On a lighter note, congrats to Cuba, Andre and ALL the other actors who have been cast thus far this pilot season. Thank you for pointing out the lack of diversity on network television. I’m sure the incensed commentary will follow, not that it was provoked by the way this article was written at all.
Kerrie Washington is spelled with two r’s, one i and one e, no l’s and no y. You’re welcome.
Don’t make a “Show Me the Money” joke….
Good pilot, good choice. Not what I was expecting for this role, but it should be fun.
Bravo! Cuba is a star!
Genius!
Great news for Cuba!
And cynical one: Washington spells her name KERRY. Check her imdb.com page
Actually, it’s with 2 r’s and 1 y. You’re welcome.
I love this. Always felt Cuba can kick ass in TV. Congrats to him. This sounds very cool. One of the nicest guys in the business.
This has NOTHING to do with diversity.And it’s about time we ALL keep tHAT out of casting. a GOOD ACTOR IS A GOOD ACTOR…It has to do with Cuba Gooding not being able to get a job in features and Berlanti’s desperate need to have a so called”name” actor. He just lost Ryan Phillippe..why Ryan even considered doing tv is beyond confusing….Sorry,but the glow from Cuba’s academy Award has been long gone…He’s just like Christian Slater
Once you have the glow, you always have the glow. Congrats to him. NOTHING to do with color BUT pure talent and wishing him success in this.
Sorry, Sarah, I’d love to believe the Industry is open-minded about casting, but it isn’t. The stats show this. So this has EVERYTHING to do with diversity. It’s this kind of out-of-the-box casting that expands the audience and point-of-views of stories. It’s this king of casting that should be applauded every time so that it will just show repeatedly to the Yes Men/Women of the Industry that they should broaden their minds.
Regarding your diminished glow from Cuba’s Oscar win… you’re f-ing wrong.
These comments are all offensive. While I applaud a GOOD actor, person of color or otherwise, bagging a pilot, this is just dumb. CGJ doesn’t work because he’s not a great actor, not because he’s Black…
Correct. One of the biggest prima donna, head cases in town. White, black or green — needs a ton of handholding. Will be very surprised if he can keep his ego in check with demands of a drama schedule.
Sorry, Ignoramus, if you don’t understand why we’re all praising a diversity choice for a lead, then you’ve got your head buried in the sand. The Industry IS NOT big on diversity in front of and behind the camera. That is a fact. When the Industry does expand their minds and think outside the box like these diversity leads, then it should be commended and applauded. Your petty criticisms seem “offensive” cuz between you and Cuba, he has the Oscar.
Congrats, Cuba.
Hundred dollars says that a white woman will play his current or future love interest on the show.
I’d bet on: curly haired, lighter than Hazelnut non-dairy creamer “white girl dipped in caramel” black woman. But hey light skinned sisters gotta eat too so.
When I quit seeing black women rolling around on the floor with white boys in every movie, you guys can comment about a black male’s non-black love interest. I personally hope she’s blonde with blue eyes, myself.
In case the hysterically-blind deny that black actresses routinely go white on screen way more than brothas, see Lakeview Terrace, Monster’s Ball, every recent movie with Zoe Saldana, even when she was blue in Avatar she managed to get with a white dude, and also managed to get with a Vulcan in Star Trek.
On TV, there’s Joi Caldwell in Parenthood. Probably more but I don’t know them
Go, Cuba!
No way. Too controversial. Expect a black love interest
Nellie,
Don’t forget Jessica Lucas in CW’s “Cult.”
Lookin’ forward to this!
Cuba burnt his credibilty on strange underwear ads with Michael Jordan and those bizzare gay cruise movies… People have no interest in him or his ambition to make television uncomfortable to watch. Thanks but no thanks.
I hope so — that would be HOT!!!!
Despite the pitch look like a legal version of “Life”, i’m happy for Cuba..
what’s wrong with his face?
I will definitely watch this. I will watch anything with Cuba Gooding Jr. in it! Good luck to you Cuba!!
These comments are hysterically funny. And poor Sarah, to think this choice doesn’t have anything to do with diversity. Did you read the current L.A. Times article breaking down the “make up” of the Academy voters? It’s interesting. Also, Cuba is a good actor, perhaps a prima donna as “in the know” states. Hopefully he won’t blow this opportunity. What will his wife look like on the show? Hopefully, someone who looks like Regina King (currently on “Southland, and who portrays a strong AA woman). What’s wrong w/his face. He’s either got a weird smile or really enjoys his alcohol! Hope it’s not the later.