Stockard Channing is eyeing a return to TV, but this time, in comedy. "The West Wing" star will appear opposite Mandy Moore in an ABC comedy pilot.
According to TV Guide, Channing will play Barbara, mom to Annie, played by Moore, in an untitled comedy project. Kurt Fuller will play Steve, Barbara's husband and Annie's father in the new pilot about a newlywed couple who run a restaurant in close proximity to her parents.
Since "The West Wing" ended, Channing's TV work has included a voice on "The Cleveland Show," "Sunday's at Tiffany's" and NBC's scrapped "17th Precinct" pilot.
In other casting news ...
"The Walking Dead" veteran Jon Bernthal has officially joined the cast of TNT's "L.A. Noir." Bernthal will star in the noir drama opposite Milo Ventimiglia from Frank Darabont, former showrunner of "The Walking Dead." [THR]
"Sopranos" and "Detroit 1-8-7" veteran Michael Imperioli is trading in guns for a stethoscope for NBC's "County." Imperioli will star in the medical drama pilot opposite Jason Ritter. [TVLine]
"Melrose Place" actor Grant Show and "True Blood's" Mariana Klaveno have joined the cast of "Devious Maids." In the series, Show will play Spence Davis, a daytime TV star married to Klaveno's actress character. The pilot about four maids who work for the rich and famous also stars Judy Reyes and Susan Lucci. [TV Guide]