ABC's David Shore drama pilot Doubt is bulking up, adding two key players to its cast.
Carla Gugino (Political Animals) and John Pankow (Episodes) have joined the Steve Coogan starrer, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
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The pilot centers on Vincent (Coogan), a former cop who's now a cunning but charming low-rent lawyer who uses his street smarts to work the system for his clients while battling his own demons and wooing his ex-wife. He is described as handsome, charming, charismatic, quick-witted and extremely smart -- and cocky. He's a maverick who will do anything to save his clients, even at the risk of his professional reputation.
Gugino -- one of pilot season's most sought-after actresses who received multiple offers for both broadcast and cable entries -- will play Linda, Vincent's ex-wife. She's intelligent, hard-working and a no-nonsense ADA with little patience for courtroom antics -- especially when it comes to her ex. She knows how to push his buttons in the courtroom and in the bedroom. Despite their split and the fact that she can no longer live with Vincent, she still has feelings for him and they still have a sexual relationship.
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Pankow, who has played beleaguered network boss Merc on Showtime's Episodes, will pay Syd Newman, an old-school attorney who works with his wife and fellow attorney in law offices they rent from Vincent. The couple constantly bickers with one another and are now facing eviction from the building after Vincent neglects to pay the rent. Ultimately, Syd and his wife agree to represent Vincent during the trial, functioning as his surrogate father.
House's Shore will pen the script and executive produce the Sony Pictures Television drama. Tommy Schlamme will direct the pilot, which also counts Rockmond Dunbar (Sons of Anarchy), Greg Grunberg and Kacey Rohl among its cast.
Gugino, repped by CAA, Untitled and Sloane Offer, recently guest starred on Fox's New Girl. Her credits include Californication, Entourage, Chicago Hope and Greg Berlanti's limited series Political Animals.
Repped by Gersh, Pankow's credits also include Mad About You. The nine-episode third season of Showtime's Episodes will likely bow in early in 2014.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
