ABC's Mistresses is adding a new character to its twisted family.
Following news of star Alyssa Milano's departure, Blue Bloods alum Jennifer Esposito has joined the ABC summer drama as a new series regular, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Read more Alyssa Milano Exists ABC's 'Mistresses'
Esposito will play Calista Raines, an uber-fabulous and larger-than-life woman with a wicked sense of humor and style. Calista is the creative director of a luxury fashion brand and has the high-class socialite lifestyle that goes with it. A look beneath the surface reveals a lonely woman whose fun eccentricities cloak a darker, more devious nature. Calista will become Joss' (Jes Macallan) friend, mentor and surrogate sister — drawing Joss deeper and deeper into a world of secrets and betrayal.
Esposito, whose credits include Spin City NBC's summer comedy Taxi Brooklyn, will return to ABC with the role following regular roles on the network's Samantha Who and Spin City. She's repped by Gallagher Stewart Agency and Special Artists Agency.
Milano, who starred as Savannah "Savi" Davis" for Mistresses' first two seasons, announced her departure from the series in October, a day after the network renewed the soap for a third run in summer 2015.
"After two wonderful seasons in Los Angeles, the studio has decided to shoot season three of Mistresses in Vancouver, Canada, for financial reasons," Milano said at the time. "It's with a heavy heart that I have decided that I can't relocate. I have two babies under 4. Being a mother and wife comes first and I just cannot uproot my children and separate the family by moving away. I will miss this job desperately and wish everyone the absolute best."
The cast also includes co-stars Rochelle Aytes, Yunjin Kim, Jason George, Brett Tucker and Erik Stocklin.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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