Jennifer Esposito Set As New ‘Mistresses’ Co-Lead

ABC summer series Mistresses has filled its leading quartet, tapping Blue Bloods alumna Jennifer Esposito to star alongside Jes Macallan, Rochelle Aytes and Yunjin Kim. Esposito will play Calista Raines, the uber-fabulous and larger-than-life Creative Director of a luxury fashion brand who has the high-class socialite lifestyle that goes with it. Look beneath the surface, however, and we see her loneliness too – a woman whose fun eccentricities cloak a darker, more devious nature. Calista will become Joss’ (Macallan) friend, mentor, and surrogate sister – drawing Joss deeper and deeper into a world of secrets and betrayal.

Based on the British series, Mistresses is executive produced by KJ Steinberg, who wrote the U.S. version, Rina Mimoun, who is running the show with her. A laed vacancy opened up when original co-star Alyssa Milano departed after Season 2 because of the series’ decision to move the production to Canada. The producers opted to introduce a new character, which will be played by Esposito, instead of recasting the role played by Milano for two seasons. Robert Sertner and Douglas Rae also executive produce.

Esposito is the second new series regular cast addition on Mistresses for Season 3, along with Rob Mayes, who plays Mark, a carefree guy who becomes part of April’s (Aytes) unlikely family.

Esposito’s only series gig since her headline-grabbing exit from Blue Bloods has been a co-starring role on the European dramedy Taxi Brooklyn, which had a run on NBC last summer.