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Casting Couch: Lucas Finds "Possible Side Effects," Mol Explores "Life on Mars"

The invasion of this year's crop of feature actors into television roles continues apace.

Josh Lucas (Poseidon) has signed on to star as the lead in Tim Robbins' Showtime drama pilot Possible Side Effects, about the employees of family-run pharmaceutical company.

Robbins will write, direct, and executive produce the pilot, which is set to start shooting this autumn in New York City.

The casting marks Lucas' first television role in nearly a decade; he last appeared on TV sets in 1999 as Lieutenant Macy in three episodes of the short-lived mystery series Cracker, opposite Robert Pastorelli... and one of his first roles was as a guest star on an episode of that fabled TV gem of yesteryear, Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

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In other casting news, ABC's adaptation of UK series Life on Mars has added another actor to the mix, following the groundbreaking casting of Harvey Keitel last week as Gene Hunt.

According to TV Guide, Gretchen Mol (The Memory Keeper's Daughter) has joined the cast as the female police officer Annie Norris, who was played in the original UK series by the luminous Liz White. Annie is a member of the Police Women's Bureau, whose modus operandi was to deal with the menial tasks around the precinct that none of the men wanted to be bothered with, though it's clear enough to Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) that Annie is the smartest person in the room.

Mol replaces Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), who starred as Annie in the original US pilot.

The securing of Mol means that Life on Mars now has assembled the majority of its cast, with O'Mara, Keitel, Mol, Jonathan Murphy (October Road), and Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) all in place.

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Greatest American Dog (CBS); America's Got Talent (NBC); America's Next Top Model (CW); Wife Swap (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Baby Borrowers (NBC); Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (CW); Supernanny (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Law & Order (NBC); Primetime: Crime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

9 pm: Project Runway on Bravo.

Season Five (the final season on Bravo) of Project Runway continues tonight. On tonight's episode ("Bright Lights/Big City"), tempers flare during a rain-soaked challenge, the designers must find inspiration in the Manhattan sunset and use the colors of the city to create their designs; Sandra Bernhard drops by to be this week's guest judge.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
That's sad that "Mars" got rid of Rachelle Lefevre. I think she is so talented but always seems to end up on shows that get canceled. Maybe she has a better chance of a film career!
7/30/2008
par3182 said…
josh lucas appeared in an episode of 'will & grace' in 2006
7/30/2008
Anonymous said…
Yeah, but not as a regular or recurring. I think that's what Jace was referring to. I am suddenly intrigued in this project now. Have you read the script, Jace?
7/30/2008
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