Casting News: Jason Isaacs, Jason Ritter and ‘Breaking Bad’ alum Dean Norris get new shows

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NBC didn’t give ‘Awake’ much a chance to find an audience, and the psychological mystery drama was canceled only weeks into its run, leaving star Jason Isaacs rudderless in the TV netherworld.

Until now.

The star has been cast in CBS’ medical drama pilot The Surgeon General.

The drama centers on the most powerful doctor in the world, who butts heads with politicians and big businesses to defend the health of everyday Americans. The project comes from Lie to Me creator Samuel Baum.

Isaacs will portray the titular doctor, hopefully leaving behind the low-ratings of his previous televised venture, as well as the hit-or-miss ratings of recent freshman medical dramas The Mob Doctor and Emily Owens, M.D., both of which have been canceled.

Via: Entertainment Weekly

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Meanwhile, Parenthood alum Jason Ritter has scooped up the lead role in FOX’s upcoming comedy pilot Friends & Family, which is based on the hit BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey.

Ritter will play the role of the “adorably neurotic and witty” Gavin, a guy with “Woody Allen DNA” who begins dating a co-worker he befriended over Facebook and Skype.

Most recently seen on NBC’s Parenthood, getting rejected by Lauren Graham’s Sarah in the show’s season finale, Ritter’s future on the show is uncertain. If the pilot makes it to series, it’s unlikely he’ll appear on the NBC drama again (assuming the drama gets renewed, which remains to be seen at this point).

Via: Entertainment Weekly

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Lastly, Breaking Bad actor Dean Norris has scored the role of the villain on CBS’ upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel, Under the Dome.

Norris will play James “Big Jim” Rennie, a politician and car dealership owner who jumps at the opportunity to seize control of his small town of Chester’s Mill once it’s sealed off from the rest of the world by a mysterious, transparent dome. Norris joins Pan Am alum Mike Vogel in the lead role of former Army officer Dale “Barbie” Barbara, Britt Robertson as a local waitress, and Natalie Martinez, who will portray the ambitious sheriff’s deputy of Chester’s Mill.

Norris beats out big TV names such as James Spader and Don Johnson for the part. Peculiarly enough, Norris will be seen on Under the Dome at the same time AMC’s Emmy-winning drama Breaking Bad, on which he plays DEA Agent Hank Schrader, airs its final episodes. In related news, his on-screen Breaking Bad spouse, Betsy Brandt, has scored a role on the much-hyped untitled Michael J. Fox sitcom for NBC, while Jonathan Banks, who played Mike Ehrmantraut on AMC’s drug drama, was cast in NBC’s upcoming drama pilot, Bloodline.

The 13-episode first season of Dome premieres June 24 on CBS.

Via: Entertainment Weekly