The primary cast is filling out for the pilot for the upcoming CBS drama DREW. Sarah Shahi (PERSON OF INTEREST, FAIRLY LEGAL) will be playing an adult, contemporary Nancy. In the pilot, Nancy is an NYPD detective that “investigates and solves crimes using her uncanny observational skills, all while navigating the complexities of life in a modern world.”
Sarah is best known as Shaw on the CBS series PERSON OF INTEREST, but has been working in television for 16 years. Her first major gig was a recurring role on Showtime’s THE L WORD, during which time she also starred in a short lived NBC drama called TEACHERS. I first came across her when she starred opposite Damian Lewis (HOMELAND) on the underrated NBC series LIFE. After LIFE was canceled, she had USA series (FAIRLY LEGAL) for two seasons and a recurring spot on CHICAGO FIRE. While she first appeared on season two of POI, she did not become a season regular until the third season. Earlier today, Shahi took to Twitter to say: “Very excited for my new gig. This ain’t your momma’s Drew!”
Other confirmed cast members include Steve Kazee (SHAMELESS, LEGENDS) as Ned, a New York Times Investigative reporter that happens to be a former boyfriend of Nancy, Vanessa Ferlito (GRACELAND) is Grace, a fellow NYPD detective and used to be Nancy’s partner, Felix Solis (THE GOOD WIFE, THE FOLLOWING) is Nancy’s boss Lt Ford (Deadline also mentioned that Ford was a person of interest in his wife’s unsolved murder) and Anthony Edwards (ER) will play accomplished attorney Carson Drew, Nancy’s father.
DREW comes from Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, both of whom are consulting producers on MADAM SECRETARY and previously worked on GREY’S ANATOMY and LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY. Phelan and Rater and married. The pilot will be directed by James Strong, a U.K. director whose work includes BROADCHURCH (and GRACEPOINT, the U.S. version of it) and DOCTOR WHO.
