Margulies to obey Fox's 'Law'

CBS picks up 'Ex Men' laffer
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER, JOSEF ADALIAN


Fox
"ER" alum Julianna Margulies is plotting her return to TV, signing on to star in the Fox pilot "Canterbury's Law."

Margulies will play a brash defense attorney who contends with challenges both in the courtroom and at home. Ben Shenkman also stars in the pilot from Sony Pictures TV and Denis Leary's Apostle Films. Mike Figgis is directing. Exec producers are Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and Dave Erickson. Margulies will also serve as a producer on the project.

Thesp recently starred in the TNT limited series "The Grid." Her feature credits include "Snakes on a Plane." She won an Emmy for her work as nurse Carol Hathaway on "ER," a role she played for six seasons. She reportedly turned down a two-season contract extension worth about $27 million to stay at "ER," which at the time would have made her the highest-paid female actor in TV history. She's had a recurring role in the final season of HBO's "The Sopranos" but hasn't had a regular series gig since "ER" and has turned down numerous offers.

CBS
Pilot pickup -- "Ex Men," a half-hour single-camera laffer about a newly single dude who finds support from a gang of more "experienced" guys. Rob Greenberg ("How I Met Your Mother," "Frasier") wrote and exec produced the pilot. CBS Par Network TV is producing.

ABC
Casting -- Frances O'Connor ("The Importance of Being Earnest") has been added to "Cashmere Mafia," from Sony Pictures TV and Darren Star. Project revolves around a group of friends in their 30s. O'Connor's TV credits include the HBO telepic "Iron Jawed Angels."

Casting -- Glenn Fitzgerald has joined ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" in the role of Brian Darling. Fitzgerald's credits include "Six Feet Under" and the features "Trust the Man" and "Buffalo Soldiers."