Barely two weeks after FOX canceled the sitcom
Back to You, lead star
Kelsey Grammer has already landed yet another comedy series. This time however, the Emmy-winning comedy vet has signed on to ABC's upcoming pilot called
Roman's Empire.
The single-camera comedy revolves around Leo, portrayed by Nick Thune (
Knocked Up,
Unaccompanied Minors), a lovable young guy who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend, played by Christine Woods (
Welcome to the Captain, CSI: Miami, How I Met Your Mother), tries but cannot seem to disentangle himself from her wealthy family. According to
The Hollywood Reporter, the
Back to You star's quick return to primetime TV puts him in an outrageous and overbearing role as Woods' father Roman Pretty.
In addition to the aforementioned cast members, Laura Leigh (
Disposer), Carla Gallo (
Carnivale, Mission: Impossible III) , and Zachary Knighton (
Life on a Stick) have also been added to the ABC pilot, which is penned by Al Higgins and executive produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke, Andrew Zein, and Ben Cavey.
Grammer, who is best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane for 20 years (nine years in
Cheers and 11 years in
Frasier), will also be working on a string of film projects aside from his ABC pilot. First up is the comedy
Swing Vote, where he plays President Andrew Boone. The film is expected to hit theaters in August and stars Kevin Costner, Judge Reinhold and Dennis Hopper. Additionally, he is waiting for the release of
An American Carol, which is currently in post-production stages. Last but not the least, the
Back to You actor will be joining Sigourney Weaver,
Julie Bowen (
Boston Legal, Ed),
Jeanne Tripplehorn (
Big Love), Tim Allen (
Home Improvement) and Ray Liotta (
Goodfellas) in the movie
Crazy on the Outside, which will hit theaters in 2009.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
The Hollywood Reporter
(Image courtesy of FOX)