J.J. Abrams's pilots have finally cast their leads after what seemed to be very extensive searches.
Deadline Hollywood reports that Billy Burke will play the lead in NBC’s JJ Abrams/Eric Kripke drama pilot (formerly known as Revolution), directed by Jon Favreau. Burke was first cast in the supporting role of Bass, a charismatic marine, while the search for an actor to play the lead continued (even after the pilot went into production). That is, until about a week ago when the producers promoted Burke to the lead role. The NBC pilot is about a group of survivors in a world where all forms of energy (from man-made devices) have mysteriously ceased to exist.
Meanwhile, Shelter, the other Abrams project has just found its lead. Zachary Abel (Make It Or Brake It) has landed the role in the CW’s Mark Schwahn/J.J. Abrams drama pilot. Shelter follows the staff at a New England summer resort as they go about their business of tending to the guests, and is apparently devoid of any trace of science fiction. Deadline Hollywood reports that Abel will play the hopeless romantic, Mitchell Taylor, a 23-year-old former local baseball hero who now works the concierge desk at the Shelter Bay Inn, and that Malese Jow will play Morgan, Shelter Bay’s resident party girl.
