Moreno drinks to CBS's family drama pilot

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Oscar winner Rita Moreno will co-star in CBS's untitled drama pilot centering on three generations of a powerful Latin American family who work in the rum business in south Florida.

Moreno will play the family matriarch and mother to a character played by Jimmy Smits. The former "Oz" actress won an Oscar in 1962 for her supporting turn in "West Side Story."

In other pilot casting news:
= Jay Harrington is set to star in ABC's comedy pilot "The News," which is set at a chaotic Phoenix TV newsroom. Harrington will play a news reporter with an irresistible urge to shake up the establishment. Harrington recently recurred on "Desperate Housewives."

= Laura Harris has landed the last lead in ABC's drama pilot "Women's Murder Club," which centers on four girlfriends (Angie Harmon, Paula Newsome, Aubrey Dollar, and Harris) who solve murder cases. Harris' series credits include "24" and "Dead Like Me."

= Krista Allen has come aboard NBC's comedy pilot "Business Class," which chronicles the adventures of two high-powered soda salesmen (Horatio Sanz, Mark Valley). Allen ("What About Brian") will play a rep for a competing soft drink company.

= and Faith Ford ("Murphy Brown") has joined ABC's comedy pilot "Carpoolers," which follows four men who carpool to work. Ford will play the wife of one of them.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter