After considering three different pilot options at three different networks, Anthony LaPaglia has landed on the ABC drama Americana. It will be a return to television after several years for the actor who has been working in films since his Golden Globe-winning turn on CBS’ hit FBI drama Without a Trace.
LaPaglia signed on to play the lead role in the Americana pilot, according to Deadline after being pursued by two other networks for pilot roles as well – no word on what those were. Americana is about the head of a fashion house as well as a large family who find their lives and business changed dramatically by a newcomer to the fold. LaPaglia will play the family patriarch and famous designer, Robert Soulter, who founded the label. Americana is being written by Michael Seitzman and directed by Philip Noyce, who handled the pilot for Revenge last year, obviously rather successfully.
LaPaglia is currently working on the Tarantino film Django Unchained and a film adaptation of the classic Arthur Miller play A View From the Bridge, making him one busy and in demand guy. He’s also got a couple of films in post-production including Mental with Live Schreiber, who is also doing a pilot this season over at Showtime. Going from a crime procedural like Without a Trace to playing a fashion designer is an interesting leap in his television career, but it’s a role I can see him in. With the lead cast we should see more casting news on this pilot in the near future, but with LaPaglia attached this one is starting to sound pretty viable.
