Claire Forlani Set As The Lead In ABC Pilot ‘Scruples’, Boris Kodjoe Also Cast
EXCLUSIVE: Claire Forlani has landed the lead in ABC’s drama pilot Scruples. Also cast in the pilot, executive produced by Tony Krantz and Natalie Portman and directed by The Vow helmer Michael Sucsy, are Boris Kodjoe and Jessica McNamee. Based on the novel by Judith Krantz, Scruples centers on rich and powerful clothing designer Billy Winthrop (Forlani) in a world of sex, revenge and scandal. In the 1980 miniseries, the role of Billy (last name Ikehorn) was played by Lindsay Wagner. 
Kodjoe, repped by Gersh and Untitled, will play Josh Hillman, the attorney of Billy’s late husband. McNamee will play Maggie, an ambitious celebrity journalist and Billy’s close friend. She also co-starred in Sucsy’s hit The Vow. Scruples, written by Bob Brush, is produced by Warner Bros. TV. Paradigm-repped Forlani’s series credits include arcs on CBS’ CSI: NY and NCIS: LA and a co-starring role on Starz’s Camelot. Undercovers star Kodjoe, repped by Gersh and Untitled, will next be seen in Resident Evil: Retribution. The three join recently cast Karine Vanasse.
Why isn’t ABC casting Margot Robbie or Kelli Garner in something? I Hope Karine Vanesse’s role in Scruples is significant. She’s too good nor to be a lead
If it’s anything like the novel and mini-series Karine Vanasse’s character, Valentine, is the third lead.
Claire Forlani is inspired casting. Check out her work in Camelot — the chick’s got game and she’s hot and smart. Let ABC try to turn that into another one of their crap camp-fests. They’ll ruin it if they do — I hear they’re trying to make it real and sophisticated — and commercial. Good for them.
Everybody loves some Claire.
Can somebody make a tv show that isn’t tweaked-out unfunny camp, spray tan Jersey gay porn zombies and hypertense plasticized evil women?
Just a little sophistication….the new perversion, maybe
Revenge seems to be walking that line pretty well. Sure, it’s ridiculous but not in a Melrose Place way (at least not yet).
Claire Forlani IS a great choice for the project, but if she keeps surgically tweaking her face it’s going to appear more like Rena Sofer starring in Scruples.
LADIES! Learn from the cautionary tales of Meg Ryan and Melanie Griffith: it’s far better to have a few lines than to lose all the charm of the face that made you a star!
Jessica McNamee is a great Aussie actress who left Australian series Packed to the Rafters (along with two others, including Jessica Marais who will soon star in Starz’s Magic City) to try acting in the US. Hope it works out for her!
Jessica Marais is in Magic City? Giggity.
Jess McNamee is wonderful. She will have much good fortune in the US. And she is super sweet.
But who’s going to play Spider? That’s an important role….
It’s about time Claire Forlani (almond eyes) was featured in a lead. Loved, loved, loved her in Meet Joe Black w/ Brad Pitt. Favorite movie of all time. Claire was awesome and lovely in that… with those Almond eyed stares that seemed to last an eternity and pulled the very breath from your soul. Loved that end scene when Joe comes back…one part says ( not exactly word for word but ya get the idea) ” Do you remember when we met at the coffee shop and you said you liked me” and Susan whispers in his ear with that breathy wanting draw…. ” No I said I like you so much” OH GOSH…..This movie affects me for days when I see it. Now I have just triggered my desire to see it again. Looks like tissue time !!! Yes…Claire Forlani you will be awesome !!
Really liking this cast so far. Boris Kodjoe as Josh is great.
Claire Forlani is a great choice! I was already really excited about this show because of the inspired casting of the gorgeous and talented Karine Vanasse as Valentine O’Neil. I can’t wait to hear who’s been cast as the male lead, a photographer (who’s name currently escapes me), because if the show gets a full run and follows the book/mini-series, he ends up being Valentine’s main love interest.
Karine said on her twitter yesterday that they start filming the pilot next week. So soon! Hopefully we’ll get some on set pics to get a glimpse of the cast in character.
Doesn’t ABC have another fashion-themed soap pilot in ‘Americana’ with Anthony LaPaglia?
Claire Forlani is so dull as dishwater, and frankly, evokes very little, except whatever the feeling one feels while twitching their eyebrows. Damn if you haven’t all drunk the Kool-Aid.