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.
'American Horror Story' to 'True Detective': 8 Anthology Series That Are Changing TV (Photos)
"American Horror Story: Murder House": The freshman installment of Ryan Murphy's FX anthology series introduced a new method of TV storytelling in 2011 -- and scared the bejesus out of viewers in the process.
"Fargo": FX once again went the anthology route with this adaptation of the beloved Coen Brothers film, which boasted an enviable cast and racked up an impressive pile of Emmy nominations (along with one win).
"American Horror Story: Asylum": For the second iteration of "AHS," Murphy went crazy -- literally -- and explored the twisted behind-the-scenes events at an insane asylum.
HBO got into the anthology game with "True Detective," which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in its maiden season and became one of the most buzzed-about series of the year.
"American Horror Story: Coven" took Murphy's ever-shifting vision to New Orleans for a tale of supernatural rivalry, and a multi-layered exploration of oppression.
"The Girlfriend Experience": Starz is currently developing a small-screen adaptation of the 2009 Steven Soderbergh film. Soderbergh is also behind the television version, which will feature a different story and different characters each season.
Starz is also considering an extension of "The White Queen," its 2013 partnership with the BBC, dubbed "The White Princess."
Murphy returns Wednesday night with a fourth iteration of "American Horror Story," subtitled "Freak Show," in which Sarah Paulson pulls a double-header.
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Shows that are breaking ground by tearing down and rebuilding from season to season
"American Horror Story: Murder House": The freshman installment of Ryan Murphy's FX anthology series introduced a new method of TV storytelling in 2011 -- and scared the bejesus out of viewers in the process.