Pilot News: Box Books Finnigan, V Fires Up Chestnut

Jennifer Finnigan is the latest addition to the cast of Inside the Box, ABC's drama pilot being exec produced in part by Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes.

Set at a Washington network news bureau, Inside the Box finds Finnigan playing a White House press secretary involved with Jason George's newsman. Gee, wonder what kind of exclusives he gets.

Finnigan, however, is not the series' female lead. Nor is Kim Raver. So who is worthy of playing the central role of Catherine? Think we'll get the "name" to end all names, or a newbie out to make a name for herself? Or Option C, Rena Sofer?

[Obligatory reminder that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is not involved with this Shonda pilot.]

In other ABC pilot casting news, Morris Chestnut (Anacondas 2) has joined V, a "re-imagining" of the 1980s miniseries about an alien invasion. ABC's take centers on a female Homeland Security agent, and Chestnut will play her (shhhh, rat-gobbling!) boyfriend.