2013 will close out nicely for Bob Odenkirk, with the actor saying farewell to “Breaking Bad” and soon to be seen in Alexander Payne‘s “Nebraska.” While he waits for things to get moving on that Saul Goodman spinoff, he’s joining another TV show that is already getting all sorts of attention. FX‘s Coen Brothers produced “Fargo” series has finalized its cast with Odenkirk, Kate Walsh, Joey King and Oliver Platt joining Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks and Billy Bob Thornton in the show. Plot details thus far are being kept under wraps, but it’s another “true crime” story with a Minnesota nice vibe. Production on the 10-episode series gets underway next month, and it will air in the spring. [Variety/Deadline]
Remember Meg Ryan? Once the go-to rom-com actress, Meg Ryan has been little seen in recent years, with her last feature role in 2009’s movie-you-forgot-about “Serious Moonlight” while more recently she’s had some appearances on Lisa Kudrow‘s “Web Therapy.” Well, she’s ready to come back in a big way with a brewing sitcom over at NBC that she’ll executive produce and star. Ryan will play “a sunny, non-confrontational single mom (with teenage kids, an almost-ex-husband and a meddlesome mother-in-law) who returns to her New York publishing house where she was once a brilliant editor to find that she now works for Brenda, a neurotic 30-year-old who was once her former intern. Trying to keep everyone happy, Ryan’s character ends up overcomplicating every situation.” Guess we’ll see how this goes, but NBC could sure use a hit. [Variety]
The BBC‘s miniseries adaptation of Susanna Clarke‘s 800-page fantasy tome “Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norrell” is now casting, with some intriguing names coming aboard. Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan have joined the project, as Strange and Norrell respectively, with Toby Haynes (“Doctor Who,” “Wallander“) directing. Production on the seven-part show begins later this month in Leeds, Montreal and Venice. [Broadway World]
Meanwhile, Showtime‘s “House Of Lies” soldiers on with T.I. joining the cast for a third season arc. He’ll play “Lukas, a clothing company co-owner with childhood friend “Dre” (guest star Mekhi Phifer), who enlist Marty (Don Cheadle) to help expand their empire.” [Deadline]
Lastly, Billy Magnussen, Rosemary Harris, Mamie Gummer and Ray Liotta are taking roles in David Milch‘s brewing HBO show “The Money.” They join Brendan Glesson, Andrea Riseborough and Nathan Lane in the story centered on American mogul James Castman, who looks to expand his media empire and control his family. Promising stuff that’s at the pilot stage right now, but will hopefully get the full series order. [Deadline]
