Audra McDonald to Star in CBS Drama Pilot ORDAINED

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Audra McDonald has signed on to co-star in the new CBS drama pilot ORDAINED. The five-time Tony Award winner will join previously announced cast members Charlie Cox and Jorge Garcia in the legal thriller.

The project follows Tom (Cox), "the son of a Kennedy-esque family who leaves the priesthood and becomes a lawyer to prevent his politician sister from being assassinated." McDonald, who recently guest starred on the network's legal drama 'The Good Wife', will portray Anthea, described as "a senior litigator at the law firm where Tom works and his main mentor, immediate boss and ally who runs Iron Man races to unwind and lives to win cases." Garcia takes on the role of the firm's chief investigator.

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen will write the script and executive produce along with Frank Marshall, Larry Shuman and A.B. Fischer. RJ Cutler will direct the pilot episode.

McDonald recently reprised her role of Dr. Naomi Bennett for the January series finale of ABC's Private Practice. The talented actress won a 2012 Tony Award for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. She earned three Tony Awards by the age of 28 for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime. She was nominated for another Tony Award for her performance in Marie Christine before she won her fourth in 2004 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun. She reprised her Raisin role for a 2008 television adaptation, earning her a second Emmy Award nomination.

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