The Casting Call 10.14.09

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.

Friday Night Lights (NBC)
Steve Harris has been cast in a recurring role. He will play Vernon Merriweather, an ex-football star. His daughter, Jess, will be played by Jurnee Smollett. Harris will appear in at least seven episodes of the upcoming fourth season, premiering October 28 on DIRECTV’s The 101 Network.

Heroes (NBC)
Todd Stashwick (The Riches) has been cast in a recurring role. He will play Eli who is a part of this season’s traveling carnival storyline and has close ties to the carnival’s evil ringleader Samuel (Robert Knepper).

Modern Family (ABC)
Benjamin Bratt has signed on to guest star on ABC’s new comedy series. He will play the ex of Sofia Vergara’s character. Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) and his much-younger Colombian wife, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Vergara), are raising Gloria’s child from her previous marriage, Manny Delgado (Rico Rodriguez). Mr. Delgado has been a prominent topic of conversation on the show, with his son idolizing him and his ex-wife often talking about his physical abilities. But the character has not been seen yet, despite coming close with a promise to pick Manny up for a dad-son weekend, which he didn’t keep. Bratt is set to appear in one episode for now.

Private Practice (ABC)
JoBeth Williams has landed a guest-starring role on the series. She will be playing family matriarch “Bizzy” Forbes Montgomery. Williams will appear in this season’s 10th episode, yet she will not cross paths with on-screen husband Stephen Collins, who was booked for a multi-episode run.