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]
Check out other onscreen presidents Pullman joins below:
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