Joe Manganiello has dropped out of Fox’s “Scream Queens.” As he exits, “Nashville” star Oliver Hudson has been cast in a lead male role, TheWrap has learned.
The “True Blood” star was cast in a series regular role on the Ryan Murphy anthology series in January, but an individual close to the show told TheWrap that he has decided to leave prior to production due to scheduling conflicts with “Scream Queens” shooting dates as it moves into series production and his commitments to promoting his summer feature film “Magic Mike XXL” internationally.
It has also been reported that he’s leaving to clear up scheduling conflicts between the Fox series and “Suicide Squad,” in which he’s being considered for the role of Deathstroke.
“Scream Queens” would’ve been Manganiello’s first series regular role since starring for four seasons on HBO’s “True Blood,” which ended its run last August.
Hudson (“Nashville,” “Grown Ups 2” and “Rules of Engagement”) has been cast as one of the male leads on the comedy-horror anthology. As with all casting announcements — no details of the role are being released by producers.
ICM, Management 360, and Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca represent Hudson.
Hudson joins an ensemble cast for “Scream Queens” that includes Lea Michele, Nasim Pedrad, Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Nick Jonas, Keke Palmer, and Abigail Breslin.
Slated to premiere in the fall with 15 episodes, “Scream Queens” revolves around a college campus rocked by a series of murders.
From 20th Century Fox Television and Ryan Murphy Television, Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto will serve as executive producers.
Latino Review first reported Manganiello’s exit.