Sharp Objects‘ Jennifer Aspen is set as a series regular role in ABC’s drama pilot STATIES. The series centers on Eliza Cortez, a hard-charging NYPD detective who’s banished to the boonies after a high profile mistake and is paired with a new partner, Oregon State Trooper Sam King, whose investigative techniques don’t exactly follow protocol. Aspen will play Scottie, the administrative support for the State Police unit. A fast talker and a huge gossiper, she has a mischievous smile and knows more than she lets on.
Former Girlboss star Ellie Reed and Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s Humphrey Ker are set for regular roles in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. The series focuses on Meera, 30-year-old woman who loves tequila and karaoke and has spent her life searching and failing to find meaning, much to the chagrin of her traditional Indian-American family. Reed will play Sarah Green, Meera’s best friend and an art designer at the marketing agency when Meera works. Ker will portray Max Smith, a new account executive at the agency who doesn’t get Meera’s humor.
Emmy winner John Larroquette has been tapped to star in ABC’s THREE RIVERS single-camera comedy pilot. The series centers on Rebecca Watts (Annaleigh Ashford), who left her family’s Texas ranch to work at an upscale hotel in New York, but after being promised ownership of the ranch by her smooth-talking cowboy dad Beau (Larroquette), she’s back and ready to utilize her big-city tactics to turn their rustic ranch into a destination spot oozing Southern hospitality. Beau is unkempt, charismatic, with a real twinkle in his eye. A scoundrel for sure, but so engaging he can charm the pants off anybody.
The Mayor and Community actress Yvette Nicole Brown has been tapped to star in MOST LIKELY TO. The series revolves around Liz Cooney, who, in high school, had everything, and Markie McQueen, who had nothing. Twenty years later, they’re reunited under the same roof as single moms and unlikely housemates. Brown will play Markie McQueen, who is described as radiant and warm, quietly confident, with a successful salon and brilliant daughter, but her insecurities are reignited when her high school bully arrives in town.
Charity Wakefield has been cast as the female lead in the ABC drama pilot SALVAGE. The project follows ex-cop Jimmy Hill, who just wants to be left alone, but when a local murder is linked to the sunken treasure of a lost Spanish galleon, he’s drawn into the investigation by an idealistic deputy and pitted against the powerful town patriarch, outside criminal agents, and his own father. Wakefield will star as Gwen, described as the beautiful daughter of the town’s richest man, who arrives back in town, newly un-married and under mysterious circumstances.
Champions‘ Mouzam Makkar is set as a series regular in ABC’s legal thriller drama pilot THE FIX. After losing the biggest case of her career and being shredded by the media, former prosecutor Maya Travis has left Los Angeles for a quiet life in rural Oregon. Eight years after her devastating defeat, the murderer strikes again, forcing Maya to return to Los Angeles to confront him one more time. Makkar will play Loni Cho, a Deputy District Attorney and the lead attorney on Amelia’s murder.
Electric Dreams Sam Straley has booked a series regular role in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot. The untitled comedy is set in the 1970s and revolves around an Irish-Catholic family with a working-class dad, traditional mom, and eight boisterous sons who navigate changes big and small during one of America’s most turbulent decades. Straley will play Lawrence, the eldest Dwyer Son.
CBS is adding three more original castmembers to its upcoming revival of MURPHY BROWN. Faith Ford (Corky Sherwood), Joe Regalbuto (Frank Fontana) and Grant Shaud (Miles Silverberg) will all join series star Candice Bergen for the 13-episode revival of Diane English’s classic sitcom.
The Shield alum Michael Chiklis has been cast in one of the lead roles in the CBS drama pilot MURDER. The series explores crime through the unique and often conflicting perspectives of cops and killers, witnesses and victims, friends and family. Chiklis will play Detective Mason Garrity, described as a veteran NYPD detective with deep empathy and sharp instincts, which have been the foundation of an exemplary career. But now, his usual style is disrupted by his new partner, outspoken rookie Detective Ayana Lake, who will challenge all his assumptions.
Jessica Jones‘ J.R. Ramirez has booked a series regular role in NBC’s missing plane mystery pilot MANIFEST. The series explores a hypothetical scenario surrounding the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Ramirez will play Det. Jared Williams. Even after his fiancée disappeared on that mysterious flight, Williams never stopped loving her. However, eventually he moved on, but now that she’s back he’s torn apart by the return of his first love.
No Tomorrow‘s Sarayu Blue has landed the lead in NBC’s half-hour single-camera comedy from Aseem Batra. The untitled comedy shows one woman’s (Blue) hilarious unfiltered take on the side effects of trying to have it all. Blue will play Emet, a modern working mother who is in a constant battle between being a mom and still having some personal fulfillment. She works as a storyboard artist at a video game startup with a group of young guys, whom she often uses as sounding boards for her own personal issues.
April Dawn | Editorial Intern
