Today’s TV round-up features some pretty cool casting news regarding the return of a beloved cult comedy, a new comedy show from Greg Daniels, a critically acclaimed political satire and the small screen debut of a major property.
The long-awaited fourth season of “Arrested Development” has added some more celebrity weight in the form of ginger hero Conan O’Brien and his long-running sidekick Andy Richter. Will Arnett dropped the news on O’Brien’s talk show earlier this week without any details as to their role. Based on both Richter’s previous appearances on the show (in the third, formerly last, season) and Mitch Hurwitz’s comments about the season acting “as an act one of a movie that we all want to do,” we’d guess the duo will be playing themselves. The fourth season hits Netflix sometime next spring. [The Wrap]
Experiencing her Hollywood blockbuster breakthrough as Peggy Carter in "Captain America: The First Avenger," Hayley Atwell is now returning to Brit TV where she got her start to lead ITV's "Life Of Crime." The three part series will find Atwell playing a policewoman, with the story kicking off in 1985 with the Brixton riots buzzing the background, when she discovers the body of young girl who has been murdered. The next chapters take place in 1997 and 2013, as it tracks Atwell's character's story. Jim Loach (son of Ken, who recently made his featuer debut with "Oranges & Sunshine" starring Emily Watson and Hugo Weaving) directs and this sounds a lot like the "Red Riding" series, which isn't a bad thing at all. [Deadline]
After confirming that Clark Gregg would be appearing again as Phil Coulson, the Joss Whedon-penned “S.H.I.E.L.D.” series has cast TV veteran Ming-Na Wen (“ER” and “SGU Stargate Universe”) as Agent Melinda May — one of four original characters — “a soulful and slightly damaged combat veteran, an ace pilot, weapons expert and a soldier who can — and has — gone beyond the call of duty.” With “The Avengers 2” set for a theatrical bow in 2015, Whedon is looking to knock out the pilot fairly quickly and get the show on its feet, though there is still no firm start date. [Daily Blam]
It looks like the crew behind “Parks & Recreation” are looking to use what clout they have to run shows of their own. “Parks & Recreation” supervising producer Harris Wittels is writing a new show under the tutelage of Greg Daniels (“The Office” and the Pawnee-set comedy) with “The Office” cast member Brian Baumgartner on board to star. The show follows Baumgartner as a loser “mid-level airline executive [who] fights to experience winning again.” [Deadline]
Bill Lumbergh himself, is joining the Armando Iannucci-created and Julia Louis-Dreyfus-starring HBO comedy “Veep.” Gary Cole will apparently play a major role in the show’s second season and though details are scarce, he’ll apparently playing “a Karl Rove-type of character named Kent.” [Deadline]