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ABC's Charlie's Angels Pilot Gets Greenlight; We've Got the Casting Breakdown

Looks like Charlie's Angels is heading back to the small screen, courtesy of Sony Pictures Television and Smallville creators Miles Millar and Al Gough, who will executive produce alongside Drew Barrymore, Nancy Juvonen, and Leonard Goldberg.

Deadline's Nellie Andreeva is reporting that ABC has given the pilot the official greenlight, with production slated to begin roughly in mid-January.

The project has been in development for a year, with Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Josh Friedman originally set to oversee the project.

Which brings us to the Angels themselves. Producers seem to be particularly keen to make this a multi-ethnic version of Charlie's Angels, with the casting breakdown indicating that the three leads will be African-American, Latina, and white.

So just who are this latest batch of Angels? Let's find out, thanks to a look at the hot-off-the-press casting breakdown, courtesy of a tipster who wishes to remain anonymous, that I just got my hands on...

First up is Kate Prince, the team's "gorgeous" African-American Angel, a former cop. Here's how she's described: "Kate is an incredible athlete and possesses a razor-sharp intellect. Although the most serious of our three Angels, she also knows how to let her hair down and have a great time. Kate is an ex-cop, a master or martial arts and a strict vegetarian." Age range is 24-30.

Next is Abby Sampson, the youngest of the Angels (and likely the blondest) whose street skills are at odds with her upbringing. "Her beauty has always turned heads, but it's her quick wit and quirky sense of humor that makes her stand out. She grew up on Manhattan's Upper East Side and is the daughter of a notorious Wall Street crook a la Bernie Madoff. She is an expert thief, con artist and is trained in the deadly art of Krav Maga." Age range is 22-27.

Finally, there's Marisa Valdez, our "exotic" Latina beauty with a buff physique and a knowledge of weaponry. "She's an orphan, an immigrant and a former U.S. Marine. She is a weapons expert and is trained in all forms of hand-to-hand combat. Marisa has a no-nonsense attitude, is a Play Station addict and self-confessed neat freak." Age range is 24-30.

No word on breakdowns for Bosley or the mysterious Charlie--always heard and never seen--himself.

What do you make of the breakdown? Are these the Angels that you envisioned? Does this reboot excite you or make you want to run for the hills?

And, if you were playing amateur casting director, who would you want to see in these roles? Discuss.

Comments

Lee Ann said…
I would love for Gina Torres to have one of the roles, but the fact she is over 40 may be held against here despite her being perfect for the part. If we stay with under 35 for the roles I would say Erica Hubbard from Lincoln Heights for the role of Kate; Katie Cassidy of Melrose Place and Supernatural fame for Abby and Gloria Votsis as Marisa or maybe they could change their minds and make Marisa Asian and then Dichen Lachman of Dollhouse fame would be perfect.
Tim said…
Whoever commented on Finke's post that Katie Cassidy should be considered is 100% correct.
Jaymii said…
Hey! Smallville is ending. Get Erica on this ASAP!
abbytaz said…
"What do you make of the breakdown? Are these the Angels that you envisioned? Does this reboot excite you or make you want to run for the hills?"-Jace

Run for the hills...Ugh!
Webster 1 said…
ABC Network again reaching for the lowest common denominator.
par3182 said…
It's 2010 and these women should not be working for the man. Charlie should be a woman, preferably with a raspy voice. Kate Jackson?
JR said…
I would love to see Michelle Rodriguez as the Valdez character. She was fabulous in Avatar!
Jason said…
What about LAURA VANDERVOORT??? She would be perfect for Abby! She played Kara / Supergirl on Smallville ...

http://www.lauraVandervoort.com
Unknown said…
I think this show has the potential to be a really good vehicle for some positive female role models, as well as being a major hit. The fact that Drew barrymore is involved is an excellent sign to me. She is obviously very interested in this story line and I think this might be a way for her to go into it in further depth than with the movie (which made the money necessary for her to become a real force around Hollywood) and further flush out the characters, which are really interesting upon a slightly closer examination. They are a perfect storm all together, but they are also each a perfect storm individually. I truly believe that the hype this will get (and is already getting) would enable this to be given (and best suited) to unknowns. Give Bosley to a named actor.

I think the people behind this show are in the position to be a part of producing something that could really do some good. The show is about love, after all, and helping people. That's what angels do.
Anonymous said…
If they're smart they'll cast some fresh faces for the remaining roles of Abby and Marissa- we need hot new talent to take the small screen by storm. It's how Farrah rose to international fame after all. I'm dying to see some beautiful women who we haven't really seen or heard of yet- I can't be the only one.

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