This story first appeared in the March 7 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
The Happy Endings cast may get a happy ending after all. The stars and producers of the cult comedy, which ABC canceled last summer, all have lined up new projects this pilot season. Elisha Cuthbert will play gay in NBC's lesbian comedy One Big Happy, Zachary Knighton will star in Fox's Weird Loners, Casey Wilson is reteaming with Endings creator (and fiance) David Caspe for NBC's Marry Me, and Eliza Coupe is toplining USA's legal comedy Benched.
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Meanwhile, Adam Pally and Damon Wayans Jr. have segued into regular roles on Fox's The Mindy Project and New Girl, respectively, as they field offers for pilots. Why are networks in a frenzy for talent from an axed series? "They're in the perfect age range for shows on any given network, and they fall in that demographic the networks are all looking for," says Sony Pictures TV executive vp talent and casting Dawn Steinberg, who cast the sextet on Endings. "Sometimes ensemble players can't lead shows; these actors can."
Sony-based Caspe also has the pilot Cuz-Bros at CBS, while Wilson is writing NBC's The Mason Twins with Endings guest June Diane Raphael. At the same time, the show's EP Jonathan Groff will run the NBC comedy Fifth Wheel. If things go well, the Endings crew could fill a big chunk of fall TV real estate. Says Steinberg, "People are realizing how great these actors were -- as a group and as individuals."
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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