NBC
THE OFFICE will see the return of Catherine Tate next season, this time as a regular. She first appeared as Nellie Bertram in the 7th season finale as someone interviewing to replace Michael Scott (Steve Carell). The British comedienne came back to the series last season, competing again for the manager position against Andy Bernard, played by Ed Helms.
Andy Samberg has officially announced he is leaving SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. He follows cast member Kristin Wiig, who recently departed with an emotional sketch featuring the cast and Mick Jagger singing “Ruby Tuesday” topped off by a brief dance with creator Lorne Michaels. Samberg was on the variety show for seven years, creating the digital shorts (“I’m on a Boat,” “Lazy Sunday”) that became a viral sensation and revamped the show’s dwindling ratings.
Sundance Channel
Aden Young has been chosen to star in the network’s first original scripted series RECTIFY. The show is about man who is released from prison after 19 years when he is exonerated, through DNA evidence, of rape and murder.
USA
Vanessa Redgrave, who previously appeared in FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” will return to cable TV with POLITICAL ANIMALS. The series stars Sigourney Weaver as a former First Lady and presidential candidate who tries to keep her family together as the State Department and press cause her problems. Redgrave will play an openly gay Supreme Court justice/mentor to Weaver’s character. Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn also stars in the Greg Berlanti/Laurence Mark drama.
