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The O.C.’s Benjamin McKenzie joins NBC pilot LAPD

by Cheril on September 7th, 2008

One of my favorite actors, Benjamin McKenzie, who played Ryan Atwood on The O.C., has officially joined the cast of the NBC pilot LAPD, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

An ensemble cop drama from ER executive producer John Wells (John Wells Production) and Warner Bros. TV, LAPD (you guessed it!) follows a group of Los Angeles officers. McKenzie will plan reserved rookie cop Ben (I guess he’ll get to use his real name!).

I’m excited to finally hear about McKenzie, as it seemed Adam Brody (The O.C.) got all the fame when the FOX show ended. But McKenzie didn’t totally fall off the face of the earth — he’s appeared in indie movies Junebug and 88 Minutes, as well as signing on for the film adaptation of Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got His Gun. But I for one am glad to see him coming back to the small screen (hopefully).

Regina King (24, Jerry Maguire), Kevin Alejandro (Shark) and Michael McGrady (Daybreak) also have been cast. I love Regina King too — no one can show attitude quite like her.

In addition, Michael Cudlitz (Lost, Big Mike) will play Ben’s training officer. Shawn Hatosy (who played the jock on the 1998 sci-fi movie The Faculty), will play Sammy, a newlywed cop with marriage troubles.

King will play Lydia, a smart, sympathetic detective. Alejandro will play Nate, a detective who is married with three kids and another on the way. McGrady will play Sal, a detective who works gang-related crimes and is obsessed with his family’s safety.

There’s no word on any time table for the show, but let’s hope it’s soon! I need my Benjamin McKenzie fix!

Benjamin McKenzie photo courtesy  of Newscom 

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POSTED IN: Casting, In Development, LAPD, NBC