The Casting Call 02.05.09

The Casting Call brings together the latest casting news to keep you informed on who is showing up on which show. Find out who is joining your favorite show as a series regular, a recurring character, a guest star or special cameo. The Casting Call could reveal upcoming story-lines, so be aware, there may be spoilers ahead.

An American Family (ABC)
Jason Winer has been tapped to direct and Sofia Vergara to co-star in ABC’s comedy pilot An American Family. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd’s documentary-style comedy revolves around three families: one traditional; another that includes a 60-year-old man who becomes a stepfather after marrying a Latina (Vergara) 30 years his junior; and the third, a gay couple who have just adopted a Vietnamese baby.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
while Stephen Graham has reunited with his Gangs of New York director Martin Scorsese with a role on the HBO pilot Boardwalk Empire. Written by Terrence Winter and to be directed by Scorsese, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire chronicles the early 20th century origins of Atlantic City, N.J., and revolves around Nucky Johnson (Steve Buscemi), who runs a liquor distribution ring, and Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt), a ruthless low-level flunky for Nucky. Graham will play future notorious gangster Al Capone, then in his early 20s. He is working as the muscle for a Chicago gangster and hits it off with Jimmy.

Criminal Minds (CBS)
The CBS procedural has tapped Jackson Rathbone – Twilight vamp Jasper Hale – to guest star in an upcoming episode directed by Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander. Rathbone will play a college student on spring break who may or may not be the target of a serial killer. His episode is slated to air in April.

Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Swoosie Kurtz, who played Aunt Lily on ABC’s Pushing Daisies, is guest-starring on Desperate Housewives as a potential love interest for one of the characters. “[Housewives writer] Marc Cherry is writing something really special … for her,” Kurtz’s agent said. “She’s been a fan of the show for years and is so excited to get to Wisteria Lane.” She’ll arrive in Episode 17, which will air sometime in March.

Gossip Girl (The CW)
The show is currently casting for a jet-setter with an accent. The character, Gabriel Serrano, will be either South American, Australian or a continental European. He’s in his 20s, so he’s probably meant to be a love interest for Blair, Vanessa or Serena.

House (Fox)
Judy Grier has been cast to guest star as an upcoming patient-of-the-week. She’ll play a woman who claims a cat predicted her death, because said cat only sleeps next to people who croak.

True Blood (HBO)
The show is now casting for a vampire named Godric who was born sometime before Jesus but appears to be 15 years old.

Ugly Betty (ABC)
Christine Baranski is joining the show as a woman whom Betty may eventually call mom.