'Eli Stone' lands 'Grey's' player, Douglas swims with 'Shark'

LOS ANGELES -- Loretta Devine, seen occasionally on "Grey's Anatomy" as the Chief's estranged wife, is angling for a more regular gig on ABC.

The "Waiting to Exhale" star has signed on to the network's pilot "Eli Stone," where she'll star opposite Jonny Lee Miller ("Smith"). It would be her first regular TV work since "Boston Public" ended a couple seasons back.

In other casting news, Illeana Douglas ("Action") will take a recurring role on CBS' freshman drama "Shark," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Eli Stone," which was co-created by Greg Berlanti ("Everwood," "Brothers & Sisters") and his "Jack & Bobby" colleague Marc Guggenheim, is about a lawyer (Miller) who starts to believe he's a prophet. Devine will play his no-nonsense assistant.

She has appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" four times as surgical chief Richard Webber's (James Pickens Jr.) wife, Adele. She's also appeared in Lifetime's Fantasia Barrino biopic, "The PJs" and in guest roles on "Supernatural" and "Girlfriends."

Her movie credits include the upcoming "Dreamgirls" (she starred in the show's original Broadway incarnation), "Woman Thou Art Loosed," "Crash" and "The Preacher's Wife."

Douglas, meanwhile, will play a tough defense attorney who squares off with Sebastian Stark (James Woods) on "Shark." There's no word on how many episodes she's agreed to do.

In addition to "Action," Douglas' credits include "To Die For," the upcoming "Factory Girl," "Ghost World" and guest appearances on "Six Feet Under" and "Law & Order: SVU."