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Also joining the cast of the Hamish Linklater comedy are fellow theater stars John Behlmann, Geneva Carr and Brooklyn Shuck.
TV Land is filling out the cast of its hot comedy pilot I Shudder with a roster of theater actors.
Smash and Wicked star Megan Hilty has nabbed the female lead in the comedy starring Hamish Linklater, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Also joining the comedy from Paul Rudnick (In & Out) are fellow theater stars John Behlmann (Significant Other, The 39 Steps), Tony-nominated Geneva Carr (Hand To God) and Brooklyn Shuck (Matilda the Musical, Annie).
The single-camera comedy has been generating solid buzz around Hollywood for its originality, fresh concept and sharp biting humor. The dark comedy revolves around a meticulous but generous man who sees the world in very black and white terms: what is acceptable, and what is unacceptable. Linklater stars as the eccentric Elyot Vionnet, an advocate of manners, style and most importantly, common decency. Observing people committing heinous crimes of etiquette, he tries to counsel them from afar, inserting himself into their lives in a rather unwelcome fashion. When the individuals he deems classless choose not to take his advice, they are met with terrible consequences. In the midst of his mission, Elyot allies himself with his neighbor, an 11-year-old girl named Stella, to try to make the world better, one tactless person at a time.
Hilty and Behlmann will play Sara and Drake Morelle, the demanding parents to 11-year-old Stella, played by Shuck. The Morelles are neighbors to the eccentric and refined Elyot. Carr will portray their other neighbor, Susan Marie, who is unpleasant and self-righteous.
Oscar-winner Dan Jinks (American Beauty, Milk) is set to executive produce the CBS Television Studios comedy via his Dan Jinks Co. banner alongside Rudnick. I Shudder marks Rudnick's television writing debut and is based on his book I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey. The pilot will be shot in New York in October.
Hilty's TV credits include NBC's Smash andSean Saves the World as well as an arc on Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce. She most recently co-starred in ABC's untitled Judah Miller comedy pilot about a Tony-winning mother and her sports-obsessed son.She's repped by Gersh and Perennial Entertainment.
Behlmann, who counts The Wolf of Wall Street and The Good Wife among his credits, is with Abrams Artists Agency. Carr (Younger, Mysteries of Laura) is also with Abrams. Youngster Shuck is with Carson-Adler.
