Julia Stiles is returning to TV in what could be her first series regular gig.
According to TVLine, Stiles, who co-starred in "Dexter" Season 5 as Lumen, will star in NBC's "Midnight Run."
In the pilot, Stiles will play Leah Kafka, a cult specialist with the FBI who investigates a string of disappearances within a cult-like commune in Alaska. "Midnight Run" also stars "The Walking Dead" veteran Emma Bell, "Lost" and "The Good Wife" actor Titus Welliver and "Terriers" star Michael Raymond-James.
Stiles was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her guest star work on Showtime's "Dexter." Her other TV roles include episodes of "Chicago Hope," "Ghost Writer" and the TV movie "Before Women Had Wings."
In other casting news ...
Another "Cougar Town" star has signed for a new pilot. Dan Byrd will co-star opposite Ashley Tisdale in Louis C.K.'s untitled CBS comedy about a group of young people trying to achieve their dreams. The role is in second position to "Cougar Town" should ABC order a fourth season of the cult-hit comedy. [EW]
"House" actor Jesse Spencer has a new TV gig. Spencer will star as Matthew Casey in NBC's "Chicago Fire," NBC's firefight pilot from Dick Wolf. [TVLine]
Is "Pan Am" officially grounded? Series star Karinne Vanasse will guest star in ABC's "Scruples" pilot. Her deal includes an option to become a series regular once ABC makes a final decision regarding "Pan Am." [THR]
"Smallville" actor Justin Hartley is sticking around The CW. Hartley will play Will, a surgical intern in "First Cut," The CW's new medical drama pilot. [TVLine]
Johnathon Schaech, Kerris Dorsey and Ambyr Childers have joined "Ray Donovan." The three will appear opposite Liev Schreiber in the Showtime pilot about a fixer for the elite. [Showtime]