A&E
Freddie Highmore has been tapped to play Norman Bates on the networks upcoming “Psycho” prequel series BATES MOTEL. The young British thesp was recently seen in the films “The Spiderwick Chronicles”, “Toast” and “The Art Of Getting By”. He will next be seen in “Arthur And The War Of Two Worlds”. He is repped by Artists Rights Group Limited.
ABC
Gilles Marini has had his character Angelo upped from recurring to a regular on the series SWITCHED AT BIRTH. The series follows two girls who realize they are living with the wrong family. The TV actor has previously starred on “Castle”, “Brothers & Sisters” and “Modern Family”. He is repped by SDB Partners.
Malin Akerman is in talks to star in ABC’s upcoming comedy pilot TROPHY WIFE, written and exec produced by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. Akerman would play a character named Kate who meets a man who has three obnoxious kids and two even worse ex-wives. Akerman has had a recurring role on the comedy series “Children’s Hospital” and recently starred in the films “Wanderulust”, “The Giant Mechanical Man” and “Rock Of Ages”. She is repped by WME.
Christopher McDonald and Julie Hagerty will be joining the cast of HAPPY ENDINGS as siblings Alex and Jane’s parents. They will be appearing in episode six when the siblings are tasked with throwing a birthday party for McDonald. McDonald is repped by Gersh.
AMC
Damon Gupton has been cast in the leading role for Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn’s untitled legal thriller project. Gupton will play Adam Powell, a district attorney who uncovers evidence that leads to the reopening of a closed murder case. Gupton has had recent roles in the crime series “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Prime Suspect” as well as in one episode of “The Newsroom”. He is repped by SMS Talent and Harden/Curtis.
BBC
Annabelle Wallis has joined the cast of the six part drama series PEAKY BLINDERS, which already had Cillian Murphy cast as well. The series takes place in 1919 in Birmingham, England where a family of gangsters led by Tommy (Murphy) rule over the city slums. Wallis will play a newly arrived member to the neighborhood slums. She recently starred in the TV series “Strike Back” and “Pan Am” as well as the films “X-Men: First Class” and “W.E.” She is repped by ICM and United Agents.
CBS
Jon Michael Hill has had his recurring role as a detective upgraded to regular status on ELEMENTARY. The show is a modern take on the Sherlock Holmes story and stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Holmes and Watson respectively. Hill has had previous roles on “Person Of Interest”, “Law & Order: SVU” and “Eastbound And Down”. He is repped by Cornerstone Talent Agency.
HBO
Christine Woods has joined the cast of the comedy HELLO LADIES in the female lead opposite Stephen Merchant, who plays the lead, an Englishman desperately searching for the right woman in LA. Woods will play a character named Jessica, a waitress who rents Merchant’s guest house from him. She currently stars in the NBC series “Go On” and “Table For Three” and is repped by Gersh.
Larry David’s upcoming TV movie CLEAR HISTORY has made significant casting moves. Joining David, Jon Hamm and Michael Keaton will be Bill Hader, Kate Hudson, Phillip Baker Hall, Danny McBride, Eva Mendes, Amy Ryan and JB Smoove. David will play a man who walked out of Hamm’s electric car business and missed out on 10% of several billions of dollars. Hader will play a construction foreman, Hudson will play Hamm’s wife, Keaton will play a quarry operator, Mcbride will play David’s best friend, Mendes will play a local resident, Ryan will play David’s ex-girlfriend who’s been hiding a secret and Smoove will play an ex-boyfriend of a local girl.
NBC
“Breaking Bad” alum Jonathan Banks has been cast Adam Scott’s father in PARKS AND REC. Banks character is said to be very much like fan favorite Mike Ehrmantraut, which is certainly a welcome notion by many TV fans. Banks will next be seen in the upcoming film “Scribble”. He is repped by Domain.
Jesse L. Martin has joined SMASH in a recurring role. He will play Scott Welker, the artistic director of a theater company involved with several of the leads. Martin is an alum of “Law & Order” and several of its spin-offs and was also a member of the hit Broadway play “Rent”. He is repped by ICM.
STARZ
BLACK SAILS has begun its casting process by taking on Tom Hopper and Toby Stephens. The pirate series, which takes place twenty years before the novel “Treasure Island”, follows Captain Flint and the adventures he and his crew have aboard their ship, The Walrus. Hopper will play Billy Bones, the ships first mate who is caught between Flint (Toby Stephens) and his main dissenter. Hopper has starred as Sir Percival in the TV series “Merlin”. He is repped by Paradigm and Waring & McKenna. Stephens starred in the James Bond pic “Die Another Day”, “Space Cowboys” and “Severance”. He is repped by Paradigm and United Agents.
TNT
Emma Bell has landed a role in the second season of DALLAS. She will have the regular role of Emma Brown, a reserved, equestrian enthusiast who spent her youth travelling Europe with her grandmother. Bell has had previous roles on “Supernatural” and “The Walking Dead” and currently stars on “Midnight Sun”. She is repped by ICM.
USA
Leslie Grossman has joined the cast of the comedy pilot PAGING DR. FREED alongside Kyle Howard and Joel David Moore who star as gynecologist brothers who inherit their deceased father’s medical practice. Grossman will play Mimi, Moore’s character’s wife. She has had past roles in “Nip/Tuck” and “10 Things I Hate About You” and is currently starring in “The New Normal”. She is repped by Domain.
