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UPFRONTS 2013: The Overachievers 
EXCLUSIVE: Julia Stiles is set as the lead in NBC’s drama pilot Midnight Sun. The thriller, based on an Israeli format, follows the mysterious disappearance of Midnight Sun, a group living on a cult-like commune in Alaska. It centers on Leah Kafka (Stiles), a female FBI cult specialist leading the investigation that uncovers a larger conspiracy. Also cast in the pilot, written by Lisa Zwirling, are Connor O’Farrell (The Pacific) as Dugan’s Police Chief Garth Harring, Emma Bell (The Walking Dead) as his daughter Rory, and Daniella Pineda as the receptionist at the police station. This marks the first series regular gig for Stiles, whose feature credits include the blockbuster Bourne franchise. She previously did a season-long guest arc on Showtime’s Dexter, which earned her an Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Midnight Sun reunites Stiles with NBC where she 
starred in the hit 1999 miniseries The ’60s. Stiles, who had multiple pilot offers, is with ICM, Untitled and attorney David Weber. O’Farrell is with SDB Partners; Bell with ICM and Brillstein Entertainment; Pineda with Innovative and manager Kirsten Ames.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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That script was one of the worst thing I’ve read this development season, but this is killer casting. Dammit.
You clearly haven’t read many scripts from this development season. Coming from someone who has, this was one of the best.
Great casting.
We must have read different scripts because I thought it was one of the better pilots. 37 people disappear off the face of the earth AND they are part of a cult AND the agent tracking them used to be in that cult = pretty interesting.
The premise sounds like yet another one of those Lost wannabees that are dangerously dependent on some unexplained mystery to hold viewer interest. If the mystery unfolds too slowly, or the revelations are disappointing, there goes your ratings.
But in this case, the stellar casting might just let them hang onto the audience until they get around to giving us something substantial on the mystery. That’s always the danger with these kinds of shows – audience gets antsy and leaves before the plot arc give them anything to chew on.
Anyway, I wish them luck. With the disappointments of Alcatraz, Terra Nova and The River, we could use some good, solid sci fi shows on broadcast.
yes, cults are a truly original and relevant phenomenon in 2012. Just like serial killers and the brave men and women who track them, cults are an underused plot subject. feel the sarcasm.
Where do you guys read scripts?
Stiles looks A LOT like the youngest sister on Parenthood, Julia.
Julia Stiles is a terrific talent, and was absolutely fantastic on DEXTER. I expected she’d take up a pilot this season, and this sounds like a perfect fit for her.
Oddly, watching HOMELAND, I couldn’t help but picture her in the Claire Danes role (though Danes is phenomenal.) Funny that she’ll now be playing a government agent herself.
Julia Stiles was leaden, an absolute energy-suck, on Dexter. She cast a flat, shallow shadow on the whole season. I don’t say that as a hater — I always liked her. But that show exposed her limitations.
I’d been intrigued by this pilot. Not anymore.
I’m not much of a Stiles fan, but her Dexter season was one of the better Dexter seasons.
No it wasn’t – it was a crap season – not sure it was Stiles’ fault – the character was just clumsily written. Hopefully this new show won’t suck so much. What a disappointment Dexter has turned out to be.
Spot on comment.
“Oddly, watching HOMELAND, I couldn’t help but picture her in the Claire Danes role (though Danes is phenomenal.) Funny that she’ll now be playing a government agent herself.”
Both are also based on Israeli shows…
multiple pilot offers but she picked this sack of junk? poor career move this show has got 4 episodes and cancel written all over it
Her early career was very well handled. She must have made some really stupid changes. Her early reps killed for her .
This sounds like ALCATRAZ and ALCATRAZ isn’t that great. How can this concept last five seasons?
…makes me wonder what happened to a CBS pilot many years ago written by Nicholas Meyer entitled “ORPHEUS” which was brilliant and also about a cult.
-RnsW
Just read about Daniella Pineda on Jezebel randomly. Good going.
I’m disappointed she picked an NBC pilot considering how low rated their shows are.
Emma Bell is so freakishly talented I can’t even stand to look at her. I’m so excited!
thanks, emma’s agent.
Emma is a bright talent. I believe she will KILL in this role.
The Killing but colder and gloomier?
I’m sorry, but I find Julia Stiles INCREDIBLY boring. She seems so limited and I have NEVER believed her in a role. The thought of her in HOMELAND is laughable. As neurotic and I’m sure high maintenance I’m sure Claire Danes is, she simply wipes the floor with Julia S.
Emma Bell! Enough said! Can’t wait1 <3
NBC has a bonafied bomb on their hands.
What’s with all these feature actors signing on to pilots? They used to look down on us tv folks. Interesting.
No one’s making mid-level 40-75M movies anymore, which is where a lot of character actors make their living. Only big budget tent-poles or low budget “found footage” crab. Not much in-between these days for many of these actors. Better to head to TV.
It’s great for TV! Or maybe a mixed blessing. Kust look at American Horror Story – what a crappily written show – but it’s coasting along on the backs of a stellar cast. If there were fewer great actors around, maybe the hack writers would feel more pressure to step up their games? Wishful thinking probably.
Oops Just. Hah!
As someone who was hooked to the original Israeli show, I can guarantee it’s NOT another Alcatraz. The Original show was somewhat between Twin Peaks and Lost; slowly paced thriller mostly rely on colorful yet incomprehensible characters.
My only concern is that in Israel, the show (which wrapped it’s story last year after couple 10-episodes seasons) was a premium cable show, with all the complexity that cable shows usually offer. It’s from the same channel that gave birth to HBO’S ‘In treatment’. I can’t see “Midnight Sun” translate to a broadcast network without loosing it’s edge.
But we’ll see. I love Julia Stiles, And I’m glad they kept the original Heroin’s name.
Yeah, what he said.
Amazing show, but I don’t know how NBC will handle it…
Conor O’Farrell – great casting in just about anything. Good guy, good actor. You go, Conor!
Daniella does these hilarious videos under the name DW Diaz. Love her Calvin Klein parody.