'Firefly' star leads ABC's 'V' invasion

Morena Baccarin of 'Firefly'

Credit: FOX

Morena Baccarin is set to play the leader of the alien invasion in ABC's reimagining of "V," part of a slew of pilot casting news for the network.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Baccarin will play Anna, leader of the Visitors and expert on human culture and media manipulation.

Best known as space courtesan Inara Serra on "Firefly" and "Serenity," Baccarin's TV credits include "Heartland," "Stargate SG-1" and "The O.C."

Also snagging a pilot lead on ABC is Rupert Penry-Jones. The British actor, whose credits include "MI-5" (or "Spooks") and "Cambridge Spies", will topline the network's untitled Jerry Bruckheimer drama, focusing on a group of amateur detectives led by an ex-cop (Penry-Jones) still looking for his abducted daughter.

In other ABC casting news, Robbie Jones and Shannon Woodward have joined the cast of "Limelight," a drama set at a performing arts college. Jones ("One Tree Hill") will play an aspiring percussionist, with Woodward ("The Riches") as an actress.

The B-list superhero comedy "No Heroics" has added Eliza Coupe ("Scrubs") as a bad girl with a gift for invisibility. 

And, finally, Emmy winner Tammy Blanchard ("Sybil") and Mel Raido will take supporting roles in ABC's "Romeo and Juliet"-esque drama "Empire State."

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