Jonathan Groff Joins Season 2 of BOSS Premiering 8/17

The STARZ Original Series BOSS is set to premiere its second season on Friday, August 17th at 10pm ET/PT. Starring Kelsey Grammer in his Golden Globe(R)- winning role as fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, the series also stars Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Kathleen Robertson, Troy Garity and Rotimi. Produced by Lionsgate, "Boss" earned a Golden Globe(R) nomination for Best Drama Series for its debut season and is currently shooting season two in Chicago.

Joining the ensemble cast as series regulars this season are Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, "Glee") as Ian Todd, a smart and ambitious young advisor to Kane. Groff originated the role of Melchior Gabor in the Tony Award-winning musical “Spring Awakening,” for which he received a Tony nomination. He appears as Jesse St. James in Fox’s hit musical comedy series “Glee.” He has recently appeared on CBS’s “The Good Wife”.

Additional theatre credits include “Hair” and “The Singing Forest” (co-starring Olympia Dukakis), both for The Public Theater, and “Prayer for my Enemy” at Playwrights Horizons (Obie Award), directed by Bartlett Sher. He made his West End debut at the Noel Coward Theatre in the revival of Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap.” He also appeared in national tours of “The Sound of Music,” “Bat Boy: The Musical” and “Honk!”

Also joining the cast of the Starz series is Sanaa Lathan ("Nip/Tuck," A Raisin in the Sun), Alderman Ross' strong-willed and politically savvy Chief of Staff. Special guest star Tip Harris, who is known internationally as rapper T.I. ("American Gangster," "Takers"), will be featured as Trey, a former gangbanger with designs on a career in City Hall. Additional guest stars include Amy Morton (Up in the Air, "Private Practice") as State Senator Catherine Walsh, who has been defeated in her bid for Governor three times, but is now determined win.

Dee Johnson ("The Good Wife," "ER") will serve as executive producer along with series creator Farhad Safinia, Kelsey Grammer, Gus Van Sant, Brian Sher, and Stella Bulochnikov. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Grammnet NH Productions, Roya Productions and Small Wishes, Inc.