Casting – Current/Returning Shows
Fargo. Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica) has been cast in the second season of FX’s acclaimed Coen Bros. knock-off. He’ll play the former head of a criminal empire now confined to a wheelchair following a stroke. (Wrap)
Hannibal. Glenn Fleshler (The baddie in True Detective) has been cast on NBC’s psychological thriller based on Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter novels as the doctor of Mason Verger. (Wrap)
Jane the Virgin. Rita Moreno will appear in Episode 18 of the new CW hit as the mother of Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) biological father Rogelio (Jaime Camil), the famous telenovela star. (TVLine)
The Good Wife. Gary Cole (Veep) will return to the award-winning CBS drama as Christine Baranski’s husband when the show returns March 1. (TVLine)
Casting – New Shows
Wet Hot American Summer. Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm and Jason Schwartzman have joined just about every other available actor in Hollywood on Netflix’s 8-episode continuation of the cult comedy. They’ll all have either guest-starring or recurring roles. (Deadline)
Supergirl. Mehcad Brooks (Desperate Housewives) has been cast as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen in CBS’s upcoming super hero entry starring Melissa Benoist (Glee). (TVLine)
The Vice Principals. The new HBO comedy from Danny McBride and Jody Hill (East Bound and Down) about the running of a high school has cast Georgia King (The New Normal) to co-star opposite McBride. She’ll play the “idealistic and fair-mined” new English teacher. (Deadline)
The Slap. Blythe Danner will guest-star as Uma Thurman’s mother on the NBC drama about the consequences when a man (Zachary Quinto, Heroes) slaps another parent’s child. (EW)
Untitled Criminal Minds Spinoff. Tyler James Williams (The Walking Dead) has booked a regular role as Monty, the team’s “sweet and incredibly smart” tech analyst on CBS’s upcoming spinoff starring Gary Sinise as the leader of a team of FBI agents who specialize in assisting US citizens in trouble overseas. (EW)
In Development
Those Angry Days. Creator/showrunner Graham Yost (Justified) and Noah Wyle (E.R.) are joining forces for a limited series on FX about the contentious political lead up to World War II in the United States. It is believed Wyle will play Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Variety)
Renewals/Cancellations
Togetherness. HBO has renewed Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass’s bittersweet drama-comedy starring Mark, Melanie Lynskey, Amanda Peet and Duplass regular Steve Zissis for a second season. I’m really loving this show about four people approaching 40, so this is good news. Check out my most recent review here.
Pilot Season! Duck Season! Pilot Season! Rabbit Season!
Brothers in Atlanta. HBO is moving forward with this comedy pilot executive produced by Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live) along with Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) who will also co-write and co-star as struggling entertainers in Atlanta. Jaden Smith (Pinkett/Smith-spawn) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) will have recurring roles. (THR)
The Slap – why can’t we just have the Aussie mini-series?! Haven’t seen it, but I’m sure Christos Tsiolkas’ controversial (and awesome) book was tamed-down a bit for Aussie TV. Now NBC will dilute it even more for prurient US TV?
Glad about Togetherness. I didn’t tune in right away because I thought, oh, yeah, 4 people pushing 40, yawn, but these folks are so fucked-up they are hoot to watch. Sandwiched between Girls and Looking on HBO is the perfect spot, too. Covers all the neurotic bases in an hour and a half.
I worried Togetherness wasn’t flashy enough and people would have the response you thought you would. boring 40-somethings. But luckily I think it brings the funny and that makes up for it. It’s not Veep funny, but it’s funny.