Smits joins Latin show

NBC plucks its Bionic Woman
By JOSEF ADALIAN


Jimmy Smits is plotting a TV return via CBS, while NBC has found its Bionic Woman.
Smits, most recently seen in "The West Wing," will play a lead character in the Eye's untitled Cynthia Cidre project (formerly "Los Duques"). Project revolves around multiple generations of a Latin American family working in the rum business.

With Smits now onboard, ABC Television Studio has joined CBS Par Network TV as a producer on the project. ABC and ATS have had an ongoing development deal with Smits, but no project ever resulted from the pact with the former "NYPD Blue" star.

Meanwhile, after an exhaustive search, NBC has chosen Blighty thesp Michelle Ryan for the lead role of Jamie Sommers. Net considered some better-known thesps, but ultimately went with someone who'll be a newcomer to most American viewers.

In the U.K., however, Ryan is well known for having spent five years on long-running BBC sudser "EastEnders."

Elsewhere on the pilot front Monday:
• Zuleikha Robinson ("Rome") and Alexis Gilmore have joined the cast of the Fox drama pilot "New Amsterdam." Regency TV is producing.
• NBC has pushed filming on comedy pilot "Kath and Kim" back to the summer. Project remains in consideration for the 2007-08 season.