Exclusive: Phylicia Rashad Joins NBC Pilot Do No Harm

Add Phylicia Rashad to the list of classic sitcom stars looking to make a comeback next season. But in this case, Rashad is making a move to drama, joining the cast of the NBC pilot Do No Harm.

In the thriller, a modern day take on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Rashad will play Dr. Vanessa Young, the Chief of Surgery and the boss to brilliant neurosurgeon Jeffrey Kohl (Steven Pasquale). Kohl has a secret: He's managed to keep his dangerous alter ego, Ian Price, in check. But when he develops immunity to medicine that had kept Ian under wraps, his evil side aims to destroy the good side's career and personal life.

A powerful and intimidating figure, Vanessa is Jeffrey's greatest champion but is also deeply confrontational and calls things like she sees them. Rashad joins a cast that also includes Alana De La Garza, Ruta Gedmintas, Mousa Kraish and Michael Esper.

Rashad is currently on the big screen in the Tyler Perry feature Good Deeds. Her other recent credits include For Colored Girls, Just Wright and the TV movies Change of Plans and A Raisin in the Sun. She has also guested on Psych.

'90s Stars Make a Comeback

But Rashad, of course, is best known for her iconic 1980s role of Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She partnered again with Bill Cosby in his 1990s sitcom Cosby. Rashad joins a growing number of veteran TV players starring in pilots this spring, including Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Kirstie Alley and John Stamos.

Universal Television is the studio on Do No Harm, which was written and executive produced by David Schulner. Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan are also executive producers, while Michael Mayer is the director.

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