Pilots: NBC's 'Duty' Calls Bonnie Somerville

Zap2It.com | January 28, 2009

Bonnie Somerville

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Kristen Johnston in talks for FOX's 'AbFab' remake

NBC's comedy pilot "Off Duty" has found a female lead in "Cashmere Mafia" star Bonnie Somerville, while Emmy winner Kristen Johnston may end up being "Absolutely Fabulous."

Additionally, Jesse Tyler Ferguson ("The Class") has joined the cast of ABC's comedy "An American Family," the showbiz trade papers report.

"Off Duty" stars Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60") as a once-legendary, now washed-up detective who's paired with an up-and-comer (Romany Malco, "Weeds") and starts to affect the younger cop's life both on and off the job.

Somerville, whose credits also include "Kitchen Confidential" and " NYPD Blue," will play Malco's wife. The show has also cast Capathia Jenkins as the district chief.

FOX ordered the "Absolutely Fabulous" pilot only a few days ago, but Johnston ("3rd Rock from the Sun") is already in talks to join the show, Variety says. She took part in a table read of the pilot script last week; if she goes forward with the show, Johnston will play Edina, the role played by Jennifer Saunders in the British original.

"An American Family" is a documentary-style comedy that centers on three different families. Ferguson, who co-starred on FOX's "Do Not Disturb" this season, will play half of a gay couple that has just adopted a baby. The show comes from Christopher Lloyd ("Frasier") and Steven Levitan ("Just Shoot Me").