Casting news from US remake

30 Rock star Jane Krakowski has been signed up to play the lead in the US remake of Dead Boss.

The actress – who has been nominated for four Emmys for playing attention-seeking Jenna Maroney in Tina Fey’s comedy – will take on the role of Helen Stephens, jailed after being wrongfully convicted for murdering her boss.

In the BBC Three original, the part was played by Sharon Horgan, who co-wrote the series with stand-up Holly Walsh.

The US version is being tested for the Fox network under a so-called ‘put pilot’ deal, which means the network will have to pay a substantial penalty if the episode does not make it to air – a move that is seen as showing strong faith in the idea

Last year the ABC network made a pilot of another sitcom written by Horgan and Walsh, Bad Management, which starred David Spade as a self-centred boss of an upmarket store. The workplace comedy, in which Horgan also appeared, was released only online. Here’s a trailer.

Published: 15 Feb 2014