Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Brian Cox is set to co-star in the ABC drama pilot Gotham. The 20th TV-produced project centers on Detective Annie Travers (Megan Ketch) who, while investigating the “impossible murder” of a nightclub owner, is stunned to learn that New York has a whole secret magical history of which she (and everyone else) was hitherto unaware. IFA-repped Cox will play Alderman Morrill, an intelligent, sharp-eyed gentleman and seemingly the owner of a clock shop who is actually entrusted to keep the secret magic world New York City running on an even keel. The pilot was written by Michael Green, with Francis Lawrence directing.

Nelson Franklin (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) has landed the male lead opposite Mandy Moore in Moore’s ABC comedy pilot directed by Shawn Levy. The single-camera project, written by Bob Fisher and Stacy Traub, centers on newlyweds Annie (Moore) and Ben (Franklin), who get the opportunity of a lifetime to run a hip, new restaurant in Annie’s hometown bringing her closer to her needy and high-maintenance family. Stockard Channing and Kurt Fuller play Annie’s parents. The casting reunites Franklin, repped by WME and Principato-Young, with 20th TV where he starred on the comedy series Traffic Light last season.

Hell On Wheels star Anson Mount has been tapped for a high-profile guest starring role in ABC’s drama pilot Penoza, written and executive produced by Twilight scribe Melissa Rosenberg. Based on a Dutch format, it centers on Martha (Radha Mitchell), the widow of an assassinated criminal (Mount) who is forced to adopt her husband’s role in a crime syndicate in order to protect her family. From the pilot, Mount will segue into production on Season 2 of AMC’s Hell On Wheels, co-produced by Endemol Studios, which also co-produces Penoza with ABC Studios.

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