Several More Actors Join Broadcast Pilots

Nellie Andreeva

Danneel Ackles (formerly Harris) and Jamie Lee Kirchner have landed the last 2 leads in NBC’s comedy pilot I Hate That I Love You. The single-camera project, from writer/exec producer Jhoni Marchinko and 20th TV, is described as a twisty romantic comedy in which a straight couple, Brad (Nick Thune) and Missy (Kirchner), introduce their lesbian roommates, Brad’s Allie (Ackles) and Missy’s Sarah (Anna Camp), to each other. Ackles, repped by Gersh and Untitled, co-stars in 20th TV’s comedy series for NBC Friends with Benefits, which is yet to be scheduled.

A day after his FX series was canceled, Lights Out co-star Billy Brown has booked a pilot, NBC’s drama Reconstruction. Written by Josh Brand, the project is set in a Missouri town during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era and centers on Jason (Martin Henderson), a soldier who crosses the country and settles into a complicated town where he is welcomed as its savior. Brown will play Sam, a former a former slave with a hearty, life-affirming laugh who brings Jason up to speed on the happenings of the their small Missouri town. Brown, represented by TalentWorks and Benerspink, played “Death Row” Reynolds, the boxing nemesis of Patrick “Lights” Leary (Holt McCallany), on Lights Out.

Sarah Wright, who recurs on CBS’ midseason comedy Mad Love, has been cast in the network’s comedy pilot The Assistants, an ensemble about the assistants who work for a celebrity, Ali (Heather Locklear), and her husband. It centers on Mike (David Henrie) who, newly arrived in Hollywood from a small town, is hoping his job as an assistant to Ali might open doors for him. Wright, repped by ICM and Ellen Meyer Management, will play Tina, a spunky and cute assistant who babysits Ali’s son and catches Mike’s eye. 

Gale Harold, who has been recurring on the CW’s Hellcats this season, has joined another CW project, drama pilot The Secret Circle. Co-written by Kevin Williamson, it centers on Cassie (Britt Robertson), who moves to a new town and discovers that not only is she a witch and part of a secret coven, but she’s also the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good versus evil. Harold, repped by Gersh and Principal, will play Thomas Meade, the father of Diane, the head of the witch circle and Cassie’s friend.

Aaron Yoo (21) has been added to the cast of the Fox drama pilot Weekends at Bellevue, which centers on Ellie (Lauren Ambrose), the psychiatrist in charge of the weekend shift at Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric unit. Yoo, repped by Gersh and Tony Cloer, will play a highly competitive psychiatry intern.

Anjelah Johnson has been added to NBC’s comedy pilot My Life As an Experiment, which centers on magazine immersion journalist A.J. Wilder (Jon Dore) and his wife Stacie (Paget Brewster). Johnson, repped by Gersh and Generate, will play Luciana, their outspoken Brazilian babysitter who shows up to babysit wearing sparkly tight leggings and very high heels.

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Eliza Dushku Among Latest Pilot Castings

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Wednesday March 23, 2011 @ 3:56pm PDT
Nellie Andreeva

In her first regular comedy gig, Eliza Dushku is set as the female lead opposite Damon Wayans in CBS’ untitled sports radio show pilot. The multicamera comedy, from veteran writer-producers Bill Martin and Mike Schiff, is inspired by ESPN personality Colin Cowherd’s outspoken sports talk show. It centers on Nick (Wayans), an egotistical sports-radio host with a quick wit and cocky likability who is adored by his fans. Dushku will play Nick’s radio cohort Casey, a fun, quick-witted gal who is socially oblivious and pathologically blunt. Dushku, repped by UTA and The Collective, is best known for her roles on dramas Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tru Calling and Dollhouse. She recently guest starred on another CBS multicamera comedy, The Big Bang Theory.

David Alpay (The Tudors) is set to co-star opposite Lauren Ambrose in Fox’s drama pilot Weekends at Bellevue. Based on Julie Holland’s memoir, Bellevue centers on Ellie (Ambrose), the psychiatrist in charge of the weekend shift at Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric unit. Alpay, repped by APA and KLWG, will play Ben, a second-year attending psychiatrist at Bellevue who graduated from an Ivy League school and comes from a family of doctors. He has a history with Ellie and is strongly drawn to her. Read More »

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