Stars defy 'Gravity' for Starz

Krysten Ritter, Ivan Sergei, Ving Rhames and Rachel Hunter set for suicide dramedy

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 2:48 PM

Krysten Ritter on The CW's truncated 'Gossip Girl' spinoff

Credit: The CW

Krysten Ritter, Ivan Sergei, Ving Rhames and Rachel Hunter have joined the cast of Starz' "Gravity," an ensemble dramedy premiering in the spring of 2010.

"Gravity" focuses on a group of eccentric suicide survivors participating in out-patient program.

Ritter ("Breaking Bad," "Gossip Girl") plays Lily Champagne (Stripper Name Alert!), a clinically depressed outcast looking for love.

Sergei ("Jack & Jill") is Robert Collingsworth, an ophthalmologist mourning the death of his wife, but facing new Internet celebrity after his botched suicide attempt.

Rhames ("Pulp Fiction") is a former baseball player now confined to a wheelchair, while Hunter ("Stacey's Mom") is a spokesmodel-turned-life coach.

Rounding out the cast are Robyn Cohen ("Starved"), James Martinez ("Band of Brothers") and Seth Numrich.

The series was co-created by Eric Schaeffer ("Starved"), who continues his insistence on also co-starring in his projects, playing an NYPD cop with a particular interest in Ritter's character. After writing himself a romance with Elle MacPherson in "If Lucy Fell," might we assume that Schaeffer will give himself love scenes with Hunter as part of a nefarious plan to work his way through the classic 1980s Sports Illustrated swimsuit models? Perhaps Kathy Ireland will make a cameo just to make out with Schaeffer?

Schaeffer's co-creator on "Gravity" is Jill Franklyn, who co-wrote the classic "Yada, Yada" episode of "Seinfeld."

"Gravity" has been ordered for 10 episodes and will begin production in New York City next month.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.