Also from our usual source.
*****
- Oscar(R)
nominee Gabourey Sidibe will make her way from the mean streets of '80s Harlem
in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire to the cushy, modern-day
Connecticut suburbs in the new SHOWTIME dark comedy series, THE BIG C. Sidibe,
who guest starred in the pilot episode, just signed on as a recurring guest
star in the half-hour series, which is headlined by multiple award-winner Laura
Linney as Cathy, a repressed suburban wife and mother who reclaims her life
after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Oliver Platt (2012) stars as her immature,
but well-meaning husband. Sidibe will play a smart-alecky student in Cathy's
class. THE BIG C, which will begin shooting 13 episodes in May for a late
summer premiere, is created and written by Darlene Hunt, who will serve as
executive producer, along with Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon. It is
produced by Original Film in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Acclaimed writer/ director/producer Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directed the
pilot.
- Heroes" co-star Sendhil Ramamurthy is joining USA Network's new drama
series "Covert Affairs" as a regular. The spy drama centers on Annie
Walker (Piper Perabo), a multilingual CIA trainee unexpectedly promoted to
field operative while reeling over a mysterious ex-boyfriend who appears to be of
particular interest to her agency bosses. Ramamurthy will play a CIA agent. He
fills the void left by the departure of Eric Lively, who played a
third-generation CIA agent in the pilot. However, this is not a straight
recasting as Ramamurthy will play a new character. He joins "Covert"
cast members Christopher Gorham, Peter Gallagher, Kari Matchett and Anne Dudek
as well as Eion Bailey. Ramamurthy first indicated that he may be done with
"Heroes" in November when he was cast in a regular role on NBC's dramedy
pilot "Rex" but made a quick exit over a scheduling conflict.
Ramamurthy's character on "Heroes," Mohinder Suresh, was key in the
series' first couple of seasons, but his importance has gradually been scaled
down. He also recently guest starred in an episode of another USA series, "Psych."
- A trio of cable series are making cast additions. "Heroes" alumna Dania
Ramirez has come aboard HBO comedy "Entourage" as a recurring; Lennie
James has been added to another HBO comedy, "Hung," as a recurring; and
Kenny Johnson has landed a recurring role on FX's "Sons of Anarchy."
On "Entourage," which is filming Season 7, Ramirez, repped by ICM and
manager Jeff Morrone, will play Alex, a new love interest for Turtle (Jerry
Ferrara). On "Hung," James will play a potential love interest to
accidental pimp Tanya (Jane Adams). James, who next appears in Paul Haggis'
"The Next Three Days," is repped by ICM and Luber-Roklin. On
"Anarchy," "Saving Grace" co-star Johnson will reprise the
role of SAMCRO member Kozik, which he introduced during the show's Season 2
finale. Johnson ("The Shield") is repped by Paradigm and
Luber-Roklin.
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