ABC’s comedy comedy pilot has found the leads for its comedy pilot My Freakin’ Family: Ellen Woglom and Ravi Patel. Christopher Rich also has been cast in the project, which centers on two young parents, Anna (Woglom) and Raj (Patel), whose lives change after they have a baby and the four grandparents with very different cultural backgrounds descend upon their lives to fight for the soul of their grandchild. Rich will play Anna’s dad, an affable suburban cowboy. Harish Patel was previously cast as Raj’s dad. Ravi Patel, repped by TalentWorks and Seven Summits, played the lead in Fox’s comedy pilot Nevermind Nirvana last year.
Janet McTeer is set to co-star in the Fox drama pilot Weekends at Bellevue. Based on Dr. Julie Holland’s memoir, Bellevue centers on a psychiatrist in charge of the weekend shift of Bellevue Hospital psychiatric unit. McTeer, nominated for an Oscar in 2000 for Tumbleweeds, will play Diane, the head of psychiatry at Bellevue.
Zoe Lister-Jones has been cast in NBC’s untitled Whitney Cummings comedy pilot. The project, written by Cummings, centers on young couple Whitney (Cummings) and Alex (Chris D’Elia) who tackle the ups and downs of a committed relationship torn between their friends Lily (Lister-Jones) and Neal who think that everyone has to tie the knot and Mark and Roxanne who think no one should.
Wes Ramsey has been added to NBC’s drama pilot Playboy, set at the Playboy Club in Chicago in 1963. ramsey will play Max, a bartender at the club who has model looks and a model brain.
Lana Parrilla (Miami Medical) is set to co-star in ABC’s drama pilot Once Upon a Time. The project, from Lost executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, centers on a woman with a troubled past who is drawn into a small town in Maine where the magic and mystery of Fairy Tales just may be real. Parrilla will play Mayor Regina/Evil Queen, a beautiful, terrifying woman who carries herself with evil menace. She’s the mortal enemy of both Snow White and Prince Charming, and is determined to have a terrible vengeance upon all the inhabitants of Fairy Tale Land.
playboy started out as a hot pilot and it is now going to be one of the worst due to the casting directors. this is a cheesy show based on the cast. they still dont even have the lead role cast nothing like building a house without a roof.
the casting directors of playboy should be fired and blacklisted from the business. how can you cast a pilot if you don’t return agents and managers calls to hear ideas and pitches? can they continuously cast from the same pool of people? it’s not like they have the most incredible track record with pilots, i still recall them once again ignoring all call for ideas while casting their musical pilot, Limelight….right around the same time a certain pilot Glee actually thought outside the box and returned a representatives calls now and then.
playboy mave have some, but it’s certainly lost one.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I often wonder if directors and network people know how hard it is to get good actors in on their auditions.
Same talent pool over and over….
Ravi is absolutely hilarious and a total pro. Can’t wait to see him in this!
Had chance to work with Ravi on his last pilot – great guy and really funny – congrats!
I don’t understand how Lana Padilla keeps getting work. She is mediocre at best. I guess in the name of diversity…
playboy embarrassment, Amber Heard and Laura Benanti are very, very good actresses.
Ravi patel is incredible. great actor. can’t wait.
i have been following ravi patel– a genius. natural actor, glad to see him back!
Ravi Patel is a super funny and talented actor and he brings a really great energy to set. Good choice ABC! Can’t wait to watch!!
Ravi!!!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer, more talented guy. I hope they let him improvise.
My freakin family could do well give it time.
Go Ravi! You’re the best
Zoe Lister is on fire. Breaking Upwards is the real deal if you haven’t checked it out.
I feel bad for Whitney Cummings. There are already 3 shows on as many networks with similar through lines (Mad Love, Perfect Couples and Traffic Light) and one is on NBC. Good luck.
Ha, Ravi Patel is a very talented dude. I hope this turns out well. Always liked working with him.
When you call a casting office you should be able to get a casting director… It is their job to take pitches and be a screening device for producers – they do not hire anyone – they never have any real power in the casting process – they are basically there to answer the phones and set actors up with appointments – and they usually can’t do that without a maximum of attitude… Just so we’re clear -everyone in the representation community hates the casting community – they are rude, demeaning to our clients and usually have nothing of substance to add to the creative process! There are exceptions – but not many!
Hope Janet McTeer goes on to make a success,in this role.A very nice person and deserves all the best in what she does.