CBS drama pilot THE CODE has added Anna Wood in the female lead role opposite Dave Annable and Ato Essandoh has booked a major series regular role. The project sees the military’s brightest minds take on our country’s toughest challenges – inside the courtroom and out – where each attorney is trained as a prosecutor, a defense lawyer, an investigator – and a Marine. Wood has been cast as Major Maya Dobbins, a lead defense attorney for the Judge Advocate Corps. Essandoh will play Major Trey Ferry, who prefers to let his actions do the talking. Wood is represented by UTA and Liberman-Zerman. Essandoh is represented by Abrams Artists Agency and Sinclair Management.
Damnation‘s Sarah Jones is set as a female lead in CBS’ drama pilot L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, based on James Ellroy’s classic noir novel. The series follows three homicide detectives, a female reporter (Alana Arenas) and a Hollywood actress (Jones) whose paths intersect as the detectives pursue a sadistic serial killer among the secrets and lies of gritty, glamorous 1950s Los Angeles. Jones’s Lynn is a sharp Veronica Lake-like beauty, an aspiring Hollywood actress – and not one to compromise her principles. When she finds a best friend brutally murdered and Jack Vincennes (Walton Goggins) unexpectedly at the scene before she’s had time to call the police, Lynn knows she has something on the LAPD detective – and decides to use it to help solve the horrible crime. The role of Lynn was played by Kim Basinger in the 1997 movie L.A. Confidential, earning her an Oscar. Jones is represented by UTA and Management 360.
Emmy winner Christine Lahti has been tapped for a main role in Fox’s untitled drama pilot based on the best-selling book GONE BY GONE by Dennis Lehane. Joining Lahti is Drop Dead Diva star April Bowlby. The untitled project centers on private detectives Patrick Kenzie (Joseph Morgan) and Angela Gennaro who right wrongs the law can’t in the working-class Boston borough of Dorchester. Lahti will play Antonia Gennaro, Angela’s politician mother and Bowlby will play Renee, Angela’s sister. Lahti is represented by ICM Partners and Echo Lake Entertainment. Bowlby is represented by LINK Entertainment and TalentWorks.
Cindy Luna is boarding BETWEEN LIVES pilot in a series regular role. The drama centers on Cassie, a mysterious young woman who reluctantly uses her gift of clairvoyance to help a veteran LAPD detective and a damaged ex-FBI outsider solve the most unnerving and challenging cases the city encounters. This eerie ability also opens the door for her to see and talk to the dead, who are seeking help for unresolved problems, whether she likes it or not. Luna will play Det. Jacey Vasquez, a young detective on the LAPD Homicide Squad, eager to learn everything she can eventually make her mark. Luna is represented by Pakula/King & Associates and Lane Management Group.
Julia Roberts-starrer HOMECOMING has filled out its cast with the addition of Shea Whigham, Hong Chau, Jeremy Allen White, and Sydney Poitier. The show is based on Gimlet Media’s popular, fictional podcast and is a psychological thriller that centers on Heidi (Roberts), a caseworker at a secret government facility, and a soldier (Stephan James) eager to rejoin civilian life. Whigham will play Thomas Carrasco, an awkward bureaucrat investigating the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. Chau will play Audrey Temple, an ambitious assistant at Geist Emergent Group. White will guest star as Shrier, he and Walter (James) were soldiers in the same unit and are now clients at the Homecoming facility. Poitier will play Lydia, Colin’s (Bobby Cannavale) intelligent, savvy wife. Whigham is represented by CAA and Principal Entertainment LA. Chau is represented by Silver Lining Entertainment. White is represented by WME. Poitier is represented by ICM Partners and Thruline Entertainment.
Netflix’s mockumentary-investigation series AMERICAN VANDAL is in the works on its sophomore season and has found its leads in Travis Tope and Melvin Gregg. The pair will play high school juniors with Tope playing the fedora-wearing, pocket-watch carrying Ethan, and Gregg set as DeMarcus is a top basketball player. Tope is represented by UTA and Anonymous Content. Gregg is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.
TV Land comedy YOUNGER has booked Christian Borle in a guest starring role for its upcoming fifth season. Borle will portray journalist Don Ridley, a man who intrigues Liza (Sutton Foster) with his charm. Liza will take “interest” in Don and later confide in him. He is scheduled to appear in two episodes of the season, which premieres in the summer of 2018. His debut will be in the fourth episode. Borle is represented by CAA.
