'Past Life' actress to star in NBC's 'Chase'

"Past Life" star Kelli Giddish has landed the lead in "Chase," Jerry Bruckheimer's drama pilot for NBC. Additionally, Ben Chaplin is set to star in David E. Kelley's drama pilot "Kindreds" for NBC, and it's "Happy Endings" for "Saturday Night Live" alumna Casey Wilson, who landed a lead in the ABC comedy pilot six months after her ouster from NBC's late-night program. Full story

TV 'test deals' putting squeeze on residuals

"Test deals" are making a lot of people, well, testy this pilot season. TV studios and broadcast networks are insisting on new talent concessions to shave off-the-top costs like residuals. The test deals, which set the terms of employment for both the pilot and series, are tough for talent reps to negotiate because they must be signed before an actor auditions -- when he or she has little leverage to extract concessions. Full story

Kaczmarek, Arkin playing ABC's 'Parents'

Jane Kaczmarek and Adam Arkin will lead the cast of ABC's comedy pilot "Who Gets the Parents?" Andrew West and Derek Richardson also have been cast in the multicamera project. Full story

Jim Belushi returning to series television

Jim Belushi is returning to series television, this time on the drama side. Full story

Rachael Leigh Cook to star on Fox's 'Nirvana'

Rachael Leigh Cook has been tapped as the female lead on Fox's comedy pilot "Nirvana," and Sean Faris has landed the lead in "The Wyoming Project," Amy Sherman-Palladino's drama pilot for the CW. Full story

'Desperate Housewives' alums get TV roles

Former "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan is set as the lead opposite Paul Kaye in Ant Hines' comedy pilot presentation for CBS. Full story

'Sex' writer-producer joins Showtime series

"Sex and the City" writer-producer Jenny Bicks has joined Showtime's upcoming comedy series "The Big C" as executive producer/showrunner. Full story

Katee Sackhoff to star in ABC crime drama

"Battlestar Galactica" alumna Katee Sackhoff is set to star in ABC's untitled Richard Hatem drama pilot. Full story

Becki Newton commits to NBC's 'Love Bites'

Pilot season's most sought-after comedy actress Becki Newton has committed to star in NBC's dramedy pilot "Love Bites." Full story

Bill Pullman joins NBC's 'Nathan'

Bill Pullman has been tapped to star opposite Jay Harrington in NBC's comedy pilot "Nathan vs. Nurture." Full story