ABC extends "Dirty," deals for Davidovich

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Freshman ABC drama "Dirty Sexy Money" has received a full-season pickup, and Lolita Davidovich has joined the cast in a recurring role.

She will play an elegant, sexy hospital administrator, and a potential love interest for Donald Sutherland's character. Davidovich will begin filming right away.

"Money" is expected to shoot a couple more episodes with scripts banked from before the writers strike began on November 5.

Davidovich also has a recurring role on producers Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick's critically praised Web series "Quarterlife," which has just been picked up by NBC.

"Money" is the fourth rookie ABC series to get a full-season pickup, and the first on any network to get a pickup since the start of the writers walkout.

ABC launched the strongest slate of series this fall, including the top new drama "Private Practice," the top new comedy "Samantha Who?" and the best-reviewed new series "Pushing Daisies," all previously picked up for a full season.

The network's success is overshadowed by the potential effect a long strike can have on its promising newcomers. A disruption in the run of those series just as they are gaining momentum could be damaging.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter