Stephanie Niznik joins family drama

The CW continues to tweak one of its upcoming dramas for the fall.

"Everwood" actress Stephanie Niznik will star in the family drama "Life Is Wild," replacing Judith Hoag who played the role in the pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The casting follows on the heels of D.W. Moffat taking over for Brett Cullen, who was also originally in the pilot.

The drama based on a British series is about a veterinarian (Moffett) who transplants his family into a game preserve in South Africa. Niznik plays his second wife, a corporate lawyer who brings her own set of kids to the marriage, joining with his children.

"Life Is Wild" is part of the CW's new Sunday lineup, which includes two alternative programming shows -- newsmagazine "CW Now" and "Online Nation" -- "Life Is Wild" and an encore presentation of "America's Next Top Model."

In other casting news, Brent Sexton ("Deadwood") has joined the cast of NBC's drama "Life," starring Damian Lewis as a cop who was framed and wrongfully imprisoned for several years.

Fans will recognize Niznik, 40, as "Everwood's" Nina Feeney, Andy Brown's (Treat Williams) neighbor. She recently appeared on the "Grey's Anatomy" episode that introduced its spinoff "Private Practice."