As production begins for the many new shows headed to network television this upcoming season, execs are filling in the casting holes, which have opened up since the programs were given the old green light.
And for execs looking to boost their shows' profiles, there's no better talent pool than the many actors left without work after their shows got cancelled.
Scott Patterson, last seen on CW's Gilmore Girls, has taken a role on the new comedy Aliens in America, also from CW, says The Hollywood Reporter. On Gilmore, Patterson played Lorelai's fair-weather boyfriend Luke Danes.
Aliens follows the friendship between two Wisconsin high school students, one of which belongs to a traditional Christian family and one who is a foreign exchange student from Pakistan. Patterson is taking the role of the American teen's dad, replacing Patrick Breen, who played the dad in the pilot.
Moonlight, the upcoming CBS crime drama featuring vampires, will also be tapping a former cast member of a beloved CW show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Jason Dohring has signed on to play Josef, a vampire who gets by as a hedge-fund trader. The role was originally played by 60-year old Rade Serbedzija before execs decided to overhaul the character.
Dohring made waves as Veronica Mars' Logan, the part-time boyfriend of the titular detective. Veronica Mars was officially canceled in June after three seasons.
Elsewhere in the TV universe, Taraji P. Henson (Hustle & Flow) has joined the cast of Boston Legal. She will play a "high powered corporate litigator" brought in by recent cast addition John Larroquette's character.
The character of Naomi Bennett from Private Practice will look a little different when the show premieres this fall. The Grey's Anatomy spin-off has brought on veteran stage actress Audra McDonald to replace Merrin Dungey, who played Naomi in the pilot.
Lastly, comedians Johnny Sanchez and Anjelah Nicole Johnson have been added to the cast of MADtv. Sanchez will be a cast regular, and Johnson is scheduled to appear in four episodes.
Comments (23)
scott patterson we need you back on gilmore girls with you and lorelai together that would really rock you two are great together.
Please make a movie to tie up the loose ends of Gilmore Girls before moving on permanently
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I love Moonlight and I really like Jason's role on the show. I never watched Veronica Mars, so I don't have any prior attachments to his former character. Moonlight is a great show, so it's good news all around.
the only reason scott got this job was because he was already signed for an 8th year of Gilmore and because lauren and alexis wanted out, or rather because it was "cancelled", the CW was obligated to put him on another show for a year. though i like AiA, i highly doubt he'll have the success he did in Gilmore.
I agree with you, luvos_united
WOOHOO! I love it when actors get jobs! Especially actors that lost their jobs due to the CW's stupidity! :lol:
Logan a Vampire and Luke playing with aliens wow lol
Such a radical reshaping of a character in Moonlight by "execs" (if they are CBS executives) does not bode well for the show. Usually the nets let the creator's vision at least make it to air before they start tinkering. This character revamping (pun intended) smacks of ageism and tailoring a show to a particular demographic. What a sad way to create a show. I'll still watch the pilot; but, this is something that will stick in my mind and I fear taint my impression of it.
I know what I will be watching in fall. I really did not think I would be watching 2 vampire series, but I guess I am. That is if Blood Ties renews.
" Audra McDonald to replace Merrin Dungey, who played Naomi in the pilot. "
Does this make sense in anyway?
Great casting news IMHO!
bring back Merrin Dungey! i love her!
Merrin Dungey is gone? Noooo!
I'm kinda upset that Scott joined a show that looks so horrible... maybe my opinion will be wrong, though.
Exactly, suddenly Moonlight became a show to watch...
Yay i love Jason Dohring. And this works well for me because I always loved Buffy & Angel and most vampire related shows so yeh this is pretty awesome!
I CAN'T BELIEVE PRIVATE PRACTICE REPLACED MERRIN DUNGEY!!!! I've been waiting for her to come back since she left Alias (yea I know she was on Summerland but I didn't get the WB at the time)
well, that will put Moonlight on my 'shows to watch' list.
Cool!! =)
I was dying for Jason Dohring to get a new role, but a show about vampires?? Couldn't they have found something for him on a show I was actually planning on watching?
BOOOOOOOOOOO
YAY! now i won't be without Luke this fall! YAY!