‘True Lies’: CBS Sets Cast For TV Series Pilot (L-R: Omar Miller, Steve Howey, Mike O’Gorman, Ginger Gonzaga, Erica Hernandez)
CBS has announced the cast who will be stepping into the sizable shoes of Arnold Schwarzenegger in their TV series pilot of the action movie ‘True Lies’, from Matt Nix, McG & James Cameron.
The show follows a similar setup to the film, where an unfulfilled suburban housewife is shocked to discover that her seemly bland and unremarkable computer consultant husband is actually a skilled international spy, and finds herself propelled into a life of danger and adventure when she’s recruited to work alongside him to save the world as they try to revitalize their passionless marriage.
The person taking on the role of Harry, the “unremarkable computer consultant husband”, is Steve Howey, who is probably best known for his role as Kevin “Kev” Ball on Showtime series ‘Shameless’. He has also appeared on WB/CW show ‘Reba’, FX drama ‘Sons of Anarchy’, and CBS series ‘SEAL Team’.
Ginger Gonzaga takes the part of Helen, Harry’s supportive wife, mother of two teenage kids and a linguistics professor who is getting annoyed by Harry’s constant business trips away from home. Increasingly angered, she feels as if she’s been robbed of the life she once envisioned for herself. Thrilled when Harry invites her along for a trip to Paris, Helen is in for a rude shock when she sees a very different side to her husband.
Gonzaga has appeared in Netflix’s ‘Space Force’ and HBO’s ‘Togetherness’, along with the Showtime series ‘I’m Dying Up Here’ and ‘Kidding’. She can next be seen in the Marvel/Disney+ series ‘She-Hulk’ opposite Tatiana Maslany.
Omar Miller will play Gib, the logistics guy for the group. It’s his job to make sure everyone knows their duties and the missions go smoothly. Dry-witted but all business, he shows up unexpectedly at a barbecue at Harry’s home to discuss a dangerous new assignment, while also enjoying the hors d’oeuvres.
Miller is probably best known for his roles as Walter Simmons on ‘CSI: Miami’ and Charles Greane on ‘Ballers’. More recently he has been starring in CBS comedy ‘The Unicorn’.
Mike O’Gorman plays Luther. another undercover operative posing as a computer salesman who works with Harry at the Omega Sector. Smoothly confident with a dry wit, he’s good at his job, despite some tension between himself and fellow operative, Maria. Luther fears that Harry being married could cause some issues and that’s why operatives, as a rule, remain single.
O’Gorman recently appeared in HBO’s ‘Vice Principals’ and in guest spots on shows such as ‘A.P. Bio’, ‘Perry Mason’ and ‘Here and Now’.
Erica Hernandez portrays Maria, another of the operatives working with Harry. Tough and capable, she is a cool-headed, first-class spy. But she never misses a chance to get in a dig at Luther’s expense, reminding him of something that went down between them while on a mission in Berlin.
Hernandez has a recurring role on Epix dramedy ‘Bridge and Tunnel’, and has appeared in a range of guest roles on shows such as ‘Elementary’, ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ and ‘New Amsterdam’. She is also currently a series correspondent on the Emmy-nominated CBS science show ‘Mission Unstoppable’.
The script for ‘True Lies’ comes from Matt Nix, who created the wonderfully entertaining ‘Burn Notice’ for USA Network, and Marvel mutant drama ‘The Gifted’ for FOX. McG, who has been behind the camera for a multitude of big shooty-explodey projects such as ‘Terminator Salvation’ and the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ films, along with the ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Chuck’ tv series, is set to direct the pilot. Nix and McG exec produce alongside Mary Viola (for McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision), with James Cameron and Rae Sanchini (for Lightstorm Entertainment).
The original film, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, and a young Eliza Dushku, grossed over £280 million at the box office, and landed Curtis a Golden Globe for best actress. Interesting to note, ‘True Lies’ itself was a loose remake of the 1991 French comedy film ‘La Totale!’, making this potential tv series a remake of a remake.
‘True Lies’ only has a pilot order at the moment, so may not go to series, but we’ll let you know when we hear more.
