Katharine McPhee is returning to the small screen. The Smash and American Idol alum has booked the female lead in CBS’ genius drama pilot Scorpion, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Based on the life of Walter O’Brien, the drama revolves around Walter (Body of Proof’s Elyes Gabel), an eccentric genius, and his international network of super-geniuses who form the last line of defense against the complex threats of the modern age.
McPhee will play Paige, a working-class hero and diner waitress who understands geniuses who becomes a nanny of sorts and a translator for Walter’s super-team of socially misunderstood masterminds.For McPhee, the casting marks her return to series television following her two-season co-starring role on NBC’s Broadway drama Smash. The American Idol runner-up also has feature Depravity in the works.
Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton (Golden Boy) will pen the CBS Television Studios script and executive produce alongside Justin Lin, K/O Paper Products’ Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Heather Kadin. SB Productions’ Scooter Braun will exec produce alongside co-EP Danny Rose and producer Scott Manson. Lin will direct the pilot. Danielle Woodrow will co-exec produce and Troy Craig Poon will produce via Lin’s Perfect Storm Entertainment banner. McPhee joins a cast that also includes Robert Patrick and Eddie Kaye Thomas.
