Movie actors galore and retired small screen stars are flocking to all the new series with pilots set to shoot left and right shortly. Here's a breakdown of this week's recent additions thanks to Reuters:
Irish actor Stuart Townsend is ABC's new Kolchak in the drama pilot "Night Stalker" with Gabrielle Union also joining the cast. Townsend is most remembered for his roles as Lestat in "Queen of the Damned", the devious Dorian Gray in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and appearing alongside girlfriend Charlize Theron in the films "Trapped" & "Head in the Clouds". His only TV credit to date was his one-off appearance last week as a sexy 'pansexual' pastry chef who seduces both Will & Karen on NBC's "Will & Grace". "Kolchak" follows a reporter investigating various supernatural and supranatural creatures, ranging from aliens to vampires to Aztec sacrificial cults.
Oscar winner Geena Davis will star as the first female president of the United States in ABC's drama pilot "Commander in Chief." Kyle Secor was previously cast as her husband, and Ever Carradine as her press secretary. Also on board is Harry J. Lennix as the outgoing president's chief of staff. The drama covers the job of the nation's first female president and her family life.
Don Johnson has landed a starring role in The WB's untitled Jonathan Shapiro drama pilot, whilst Stockard Channing is taking a comedic turn with a starring role in CBS' untitled Christopher Lloyd/Joe Keenan pilot. Missi Pyle has joined NBC's comedy "Blue Skies," William Fichtner & Eddie Cibrian have been cast in ABC's drama "Invasion," Krista Allen has been tapped to co-star in Fox's untitled 'Crazy Lawyers' drama, and Dave Attell and Dana Daurey have come aboard Fox's comedy pilot "New Car Smell."
Rebecca Romijn is closing a deal to topline the WB's drama presentation "Pepper Dennis," which now will be shot as a full-blown pilot. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is set to star in CBS' comedy pilot "Old Christine" which centers on a thirtysomething divorced mom who tries to keep pace with everyone around her. Jane Curtin, William Devane and Fred Savage have been cast in ABC's comedy pilot "Crumbs". Eriq La Salle has been tapped to star in CBS' drama pilot "Conviction," Bruce McGill has been cast in ABC's drama pilot "Laws of Chance." Judith Light has joined ABC's drama "Westside," and Leonor Varela has joined NBC's drama pilot "E-Ring.
David Arquette has been tapped to star in CBS' one-hour pilot "The Commuters." Marilu Henner and Nick D'Agosto are set to star in ABC's comedy pilot "Joint Custody." Kristen Johnston has been cast in Fox's "Don't Ask," and "Just Shoot Me's" Laura San Giacomo, who will co-star in the WB Network's untitled Liz Tuccillo project. Gina Torres and Kristin Davis are tapped to star Kristin Davis in ABC's "Soccer Moms"; Bill Bellamy has joined Fox's "Amy Coyne"; Susanna Thompson has come aboard NBC's "Book of Daniel."
Thanks to 'Dust Bunny'
