Minka Kelly, Jason Dohring join The CW's student 'Body Politic'

Minka Kelly of 'Friday Night Lights'

Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

The CW is hoping that by pairing the stars of some beloved, low-rated shows, they can score a big hit.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Minka Kelly and Jason Dohring have been been cast in The CW's pilot "Body Politic."

The drama focuses on a group of attractive young staffers working in Washington. 

The trade paper says that Kelly will play a young woman who, grieving the loss of her mother, heads to the Beltway, where her estranged father (Tim Matheson) has just been appointed Attorney General. She joins his staff.

Dohring will play a young reporter at the Washington Post, which means he may be out of a job before the pilot even gets to series.

Kelly plays Lyla Garrity on NBC's "Friday Night Lights." The show's third season, currently showing to tiny audiences on NBC after a fall run on DirecTV, is Lyla's senior year, so even if "Friday Night Lights" were to return -- and indications are that renewal is seeming increasingly likely -- she wouldn't be a regular. 

You may also have seen Kelly on "What I Like About You" or in a tiny role in "The Kingdom." She also pops up in July's "500 Days of Summer," which played to rave reviews at Sundance.

Dohring has now had the honor of appearing on two cult favorites. He got three seasons out of his turn as Logan Echolls on UPN and The CW's "Veronica Mars," but his return to the small screen in "Moonlight" lasted a single season on CBS. Dohring had most recently shot the HBO pilot "Washingtonienne."

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