In today’s Casting Bits, there’s a new Cheerio in town on Glee. Christine Baranski, Stockard Channing and John Oliver are set to reprise roles they’ve previously played on TV. Read on for all the details, including news for The Mentalist, Elementary, Game of Thrones, Scandal, Hannibal, Bones and CSI — and which of these shows is Cynthia Nixon joining?

A new Cheerio on Glee: Erinn Westbrook has been cast as a new student at McKinley High named Bree. And she just so happens to be a Cheerio … and a mean girl who’s looking to “shake things up,” according to Deadline. That’s all we know about her character at the moment — I’m sure we’ll find out more in the weeks to come.

Christine Baranski Skypes in to The Big Bang Theory: She’ll reprise her role as Leonard’s mother, Beverly, in an episode set to air on October 10, TVLine reports. The last time we saw her on the CBS comedy was during the season 5 premiere and she was giving advice to Leonard online regarding Penny and Priya. When she returns, it’ll be another Skype appearance, though we don’t know yet what the reason is this time for Leonard’s mother to “show up.”

Stockard Channing returning to The Good Wife: On October 6, Alicia’s mother is back! According to TV Guide, Veronica will take “steps to support her daughter,” but when she tries to help it may end up causing more damage along the way. Other returning celebs guest starring in the same episode include John Benjamin Hickey as Neil Gross, Miriam Shor as journalist Mandy Post and Dreama Walker as Becca. Also, The Office‘s Zach Woods will play Jeff Dellinger.

John Oliver to roam the halls of Community again: Now that the Daily Show correspondent has wrapped up his run as a fill-in host for Jon Stewart, he’ll be returning to Community for a multi-episode arc (at least six episodes) as Professor Ian duncan, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Emily Swallow joins The Mentalist: The Monday Mornings alum has been cast as a potential series regular. She is currently signed up for three episodes. Her character’s name is Kim Fischer, and she’s an “enigmatic woman who is going to have a profound influence on Jane’s life,” notes TVLine.


Steve Kazee as a love interest on Elementary: The star of the Broadway musical Once will meet Joan when she tries online dating in an October episode called “We Are Everyone.” But Entertainment Weekly reports that Sherlock may derail their romantic plans.

Sigur Ros brings music to Game of Thrones: In past seasons, The National and The Hold Steady were brought on board to perform “The Rains of Castamere” and “The Bear and Maiden Fair,” respectively. And now this Icelandic art-pop band is joining season 4 of the hit HBO drama. While their involvement is a secret, it’s assumed they will contribute a song for one of the episodes. EW says that at this moment they’re in Croatia filming their guest spot.

Paul Adelstein goes from Private Practice to Scandal: And it just so happens they’re both shows produced by Shonda Rhimes. Adelstein has been cast in a recurring role for season 3. Again, everything’s a secret on what all he’ll do, but his first appearance will be in late October, according to TVLine.

David Hornsby playing a priest on Bones: If you’re not aware, he is Emily Deschanel‘s real-life husband, and while nothing’s official just yet, he may be officiating Bones and Booth’s wedding ceremony. David Boreanaz recently hinted this may happen, telling E! News, “The person who is going to marry us is close to one of the cast members.” Mystery solved!

Matt Davis is a loner on CSI: The Vampire Diaries actor has been cast in a recurring role on the CBS crime drama as the son of a decorated fireman, with his first episode set for late October. His character may seem outgoing, but according to TVLine, “he is deep down a loner, with the soul of a poet and the mind of a mathematician.”

Cynthia Nixon joins Hannibal: The Sex and the City star has signed on for a recurring role in season 2, reports TVLine. Her character, Kade Prurnell, is an employee at the Office of the Inspector General in FBI Oversight and she’s tasked with investigating and examining the various events that went on during season 1, including Jack’s alleged wrongdoing.

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(Image courtesy of WENN)

Jeff Dodge

Staff Writer, BuddyTV

Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.