JK Simmons Joins ‘Veronica Mars’ Revival as Ex-Con Working for Richard Casablancas

J.K. Simmons has joined Hulu’s “Veronica Mars” revival, and he’s working for Ryan Hansen’s on-screen dad, Richard Casablancas (David Starzyk), an individual with knowledge of the casting tells TheWrap.

Simmons has been cast in the eight-episode limited series as Clyde Prickett, an ex-con who served 10 years for racketeering, and was smart enough to be the first guy in Chino to offer protection to Neptune’s richest real estate developer, Big Dick Casablancas (father to Hansen’s young Dick Casablancas), on Big Dick’s first day in prison. Now a free man, Clyde works as Big Dick’s fixer. He’s the smarter and more dangerous of the pair and has a network of fellow ex-cons he can count on to keep his own hands clean.

Leading lady Kristen Bell and series creator Rob Thomas — along with a slew of other “Veronica Mars” alums — are returning for the streamer’s eight-episode run. Starzyk, Hansen, Jason Dohring (Logan), Francis Capra (Weevil), Percy Daggs III (Wallace), Max Greenfield (Leo D’Amato) and Enrico Colantoni (Veronica’s father, Keith Mars) — all regular and recurring cast members from the original series — were previously confirmed for the revival.

Also Read: 'Veronica Mars:' Max Greenfield to Return for Hulu Revival, Patton Oswalt to Recur

Simmons joins fellow series newcomers Patton Oswalt, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Dawnn Lewis.

Here is the official logline for the project: Spring breakers are getting murdered in Neptune, thereby decimating the seaside town’s lifeblood tourist industry. After Mars Investigations is hired by the parents of one of the victims to find their son’s killer, Veronica is drawn into an epic eight-episode mystery that pits the enclave’s wealthy elites, who would rather put an end to the month-long bacchanalia, against a working class that relies on the cash influx that comes with being the West Coast’s answer to Daytona Beach.

As part of the revival deal, Hulu has also struck an agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for streaming rights to all past episodes of the original “Veronica Mars,” including the 2014 feature film. All will be available in 2019.

Also Read: Ryan Hansen to Return for Hulu's 'Veronica Mars' Revival

“Veronica Mars” debuted in 2004 and ran for two seasons on UPN, jumping to The CW for one season before getting canceled.  Bell starred as the titular spy on the original series, which followed a California teen sleuth and student who led a second life as a private investigator under the guidance of her detective father.

The revival hails from Spondoolie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Along with Thomas, Diane Ruggiero-Wright and Dan Etheridge will serve as executive producers.

Read everything we currently know about the “Veronica Mars” revival here.