In some extraordinary news, Lauren Graham has joined the cast for NBC’s forthcoming series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Graham is best known for playing the fast-talking character Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, which lasted for seven seasons and a revival on Netflix, and single mom Sarah Braverman on NBC’s Parenthood, which ran for six years.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is a dramedy that will have a midseason premiere, likely early 2020. The show follows Zoey Clarke, played by Jane Levy (Suburgatory, Don’t Breathe), a young adult computer coder in San Francisco who gains the ability to hear people’s most inner thoughts through musical moments. Zoey initially questions her sanity and thinks it’s a curse, but she discovers her unique insight may be a gift.
Graham joins the cast as Joan, Zoey’s boss, and will be a series regular. Graham is replacing Carmen Cusack (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) who played Joan in the initial pilot episode. This is not the first time Graham has gotten a role during recastings. She also earned the role of Sarah Braverman after replacing Maura Tierney (ER, The Affair). According to TVLine, Graham has signed a one year contract for the show. In addition to Levy, Graham will work with Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect, Ground Floor), Peter Gallagher (American Beauty, The O.C.), Alex Newell (Glee), Mary Steenburgen (The Last Man on Earth), John Clarence Stewart (Luke Cage) and Andrew Leeds (Bones, Barry).
Austin Winsberg (Gossip Girl, Jake in Progress) created Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and will remain on board as a writer and producer. Executive producing the series is Richard Shepard (Ugly Betty, Girls). Shepard is also directing the pilot episode. The team is rounded out with Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy), Jessie Henderson (A Simple Favor), Kim Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men, A Moody Christmas), Eric Tannenbaum (You Again, The Last O.G.), David Blackman (Flatliners, The Perfect Date) and Daniel Inkeles.