Roundup: Sci-Fi Central Casting

It's not pilot season yet, but a few casting announcements flashed by recently that are worthy of note.

S.H.I.E.L.D.--Joss Whedon's pilot for ABC titled S.H.I.E.L.D., the nebulous spin-off series from the lucrative Avengers franchise, has kicked off its casting with a major name: vivacious ER and SGU star Ming-Na. She'll play Agent Melinda May (previously Agent Althea Rice, aka The Cavalry), an ace flier and weapons expert, according to Deadline. Ming-Na is good with complex backstories, and sure enough she'd described as "soulful and slightly damaged by her combat experiences." Whedon and ABC had previously confirmed that Clark Gregg will also appear reprising his endearing and continuity-enhancing role as Agent Phil Coulson.

The Last Ship--TNT's upcoming drama The Last Ship, based on William Brinkley's novel of the same name, cast Rhona Mitra (the vamp warrior Sonja from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) to play Rachel Scott, a strong-willed intelligent and fearless paleomicrobiologist (there's a phrase you don't write ever day). She's joining Eric Dane.

Witches of East End--Tom Lenk, who oh so many years ago played the demon-summoner/Watcher trainee Andrew on Buffy (you know--Tucker's brother!), has landed a recurring role on Lifetime's pilot Witches of East End. Lenk will play Hudson Rafferty, a librarian and friend to Ingrid who helps her cast a fertility spell on one of their friends.

Tags: Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D., The Last Ship, Witches of East End Follow me on Twitter  |  Follow me on Facebook