CW's 'Roswell' Reboot Rounds Out Cast With Nathan Parsons, Tyler Blackburn
Lily Cowles, Michael Vlamis and Heather Hemmens have also joined the cast of The CW pilot from 'The Originals' duo Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec.
The CW's Roswell reboot has rounded out its cast.
The Originals' Nathan Parsons will reunite with writer and exec producers Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec and star as the male lead in the network's drama pilot. Also joining the cast are Tyler Blackburn (Pretty Little Liars), Lily Cowles (BrainDead), Michael Vlamis (New Girl) and Heather Hemmens (Hellcats).
Based on the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz, the pilot revolves around the daughter (Grey's Anatomy's Jeanine Mason) of undocumented immigrants who, after reluctantly returning to her tourist-trap hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer: he’s an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance.
Parsons, who has played Jackson on The CW's Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals for Plec and MacKenzie, will play Max, described as a natural born leader and dedicated Roswell police officer who for years has concealed his origin and unearthly abilities. The role was originally played by Jason Behr in the 1999 WB Network series from Jason Katims.
Cowles will take on the role of Isobel, the polished and restrained woman who wasn’t meant for small-town life, but she lives it with all the grace and enthusiasm she can muster in order to keep her true origins a secret. Katherine Heigl played the part in the original.
Vlamis is set as the troubled but brilliant Michael, who survived a violent childhood and is now secretly driven to find a way to escape Earth and the humans who have failed him, to return to a mysterious home he’s never known. Brendan Fehr originated the part.
Blackburn is taking on Sgt. Alex Manes, who is returning home from the Middle East after experiencing his fair share of psychological and physical trauma and aims to adhere to his father’s expectations, abandoning his dreams and the possibility of a future with the man he loves. Colin Hanks played Alex Whitman in the original.
Hemmens rounds out the cast as Maria, Liz’s fun, free-spirited former best friend and social media maven who is oblivious to the realities of Roswell. Majandra Delfino originated the role.
MacKenzie penned the pilot and will exec produce alongside Amblin's Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Lawrence Bender and Kevin Kelly Brown, with the latter having served in the same capacity on the original. Plec will also exec produce and direct the Warner Bros. Television drama.
Parsons, whose credits include General Hospital and True Blood, is repped by Innovative Artists and Creative Partners Group; Blackburn, who starred as Caleb in Freeform's Pretty Little Liars and its short-lived spinoff Ravenswood, is with Gersh and Lichter Grossman; Cowles is with Industry Entertainment; Vlamis is with CAA and Grandview; and Hemmens, who counts If Loving You Is Wrong and an episode of The Vampire Diaries among her credits, is with APA and Primary Wave Entertainment.
Keep up with all the latest pilot orders, castings and eventual series pickups with THR'shandy guide.
Pilot SeasonRead the full article – Hollywoodreporter.com
