Bill Pullman Plays President Again On '1600 Penn' And More Casting News

Cue "Hail to the Chief" because TV has found its president.

Bill Pullman, who famously took on the role of head of state in the 1996 blockbuster "Independence Day," has signed on to play the US leader in NBC's White House comedy "1600 Penn," according to The Hollywood Reporter." Pullman joins former "American Dreams" star Brittany Snow (playing his Type A daughter) and "The Book of Mormon's" Josh Gad (playing his spacey son) in the single-camera pilot about a dysfunctional first family.

Pullman previously inspired viewers in his legendary (even if cliché-filled) "Independence Day" presidential address, in which his character, fictional President Thomas J. Whitmore , said, "We will be united in our common interest ... We are fighting for our right to live, to exist and should we win the day ... We will not go quietly into the night; We will not vanish without a fight."

His new role as Commander in Chief is intended, however, to bring more laughs.

In other TV casting news ...

Doris Roberts is getting some "Counter Culture" with ABC. The Emmy-winning former matriarch of "Everybody Loves Raymond" has signed on to play Aunt Lee on the ABC comedy, which follows three aging sisters who own a West Texas family diner together. [THR]

"Lost" alum Emilie de Ravin has joined the cast of "Americana." The actress has been playing Belle in "Once Upon A Time" and will next head to the ABC soapy drama about a famous fashion industry family. As stylish daughter Francesa vying for her father's approval, de Ravin joins Anthony LaPaglia, who's already been cast as the fashion icon/family patriarch Robert Soulter. "Brothers & Sisters" alum Ken Olin and "The Descent's" Natalie Mendoza are also set to star in the drama. [TV Guide]

"Beauty And The Beast" has cast Darius Campbell to fill the role of the latter title character. Though De Ravin will not be Belle in the ABC pilot, Scottish actor-singer Campbell to be Shiro, a beastly bodyguard who bonds with the yet-to-be-cast princess named Grace (i.e. the Belle), TVLine exclusively reported. Australian actor Christopher Egan was cast as Grace's Gaston-like fiancé Gorrick. Campbell previously appeared on BBC's "Hotel Babylon," but is best known for stage performances in the West End and his stint on the UK's "Pop Idol," the precursor to "American Idol." [TVLine]

"Twilight" werewolf Chaske Spencer is heading West to NBC's "The Frontier." Spencer will star in NBC's Western drama pilot, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively learned. Spencer plays Sam, the leader of Jacob's wolf pack in the supernatural franchise, but in "The Frontier" -- about a group heading West from Missouri in the 1840s -- he'll play optimist Eli, who's traveling with his mentally unstable aunt, Lisa. "Brotherhood" star Ethan Embry and "Boardwalk Empire's" Megan Ferguson are among the other travelers who've already been cast. [THR]

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Comments

[Spackler]

12:28 PM on 02/27/2012

Presidental comedy. Wasn't that done before? Remember That's My Bush by the Southpark guys?

[BVictor1]

12:13 PM on 02/27/2012

Now I want to go and watch 'Spaceballs'.

[Rock Jocelyn]

11:20 AM on 02/27/2012

I still can't get over his performance on Torchwood. I don't know what other actor could have been so believably vile and despicable while still somehow making the audience root for him.

[Macready]

08:37 AM on 02/27/2012

he made a great prez in Independence Day . . he is a fine actor . . .

[Squiriferous]

06:55 PM on 02/26/2012

“Hey! Look at that awesome Bill Pullman pinball machine!”

http://benheck.com/08-03-2009/hold-flipper-for-status-update

[brighteyedsassy]

06:05 PM on 02/26/2012

Love Bill Pullman....he is one of my faves....good actor...

[ponderingmuch]

03:23 PM on 02/26/2012

Bill Pullman, especially when he is playing a character who is supposed to be at least a little odd, is one of my favorite actors. Since it is a comedy, I hope he gets to be plenty odd.

[jtraveler]

02:09 PM on 02/26/2012

LOVE him in Independence Day and the hilarious Lake Placid. Underrated and a terrific actor.

[Macready]

08:37 AM on 02/27/2012

ditto jtraveler

[Phythia]

12:05 PM on 02/26/2012

He was amazing in Too Big To Fail

[Mark Morrow]

11:45 AM on 02/26/2012

No Kevin Kline's Dave in the slideshow? Not cool.

[andvoodoo2]

10:43 AM on 02/26/2012

I like him. Probably won't watch the show, but I like him.

[Sol76]

10:01 AM on 02/26/2012

He always seemed like a two-term president.

[Raymond Strand]

09:10 AM on 02/26/2012

Haha it's going to be interesting seeing him as President again after he played an undying pedophile on Tochwood Miracle Day. A role which he killed by the way. He definitely is a versatile actor.

[mater]

07:47 AM on 02/26/2012

Pullman is always a good actor. Don't feel like watching a White House comedy right now. I think that's lousy timing. Wish our world really COULD unite over a cause like the environment, monetary issues --whatever--to give working together some real definition and urgency, instead of this forever slaughtering and exploiting of mankind. If there were UFO intelligent aliens, they have only to check us out to know we are using our tools .

[Imzadi]

07:08 AM on 02/26/2012

I'll give it a watch, but it will be hard for me to see him as a comedy President after his serious portrayal in Independence Day.