‘Scandal’ Actress Darby Stanchfield to Star in ‘Locke and Key’ for Netflix

She takes the TV role over from Frances O’Connor, who took it over from Miranda Otto

| January 30, 2019 @ 7:16 PM Last Updated: January 30, 2019 @ 8:05 PM

“Scandal” alum Darby Stanchfield has signed on to star in Netflix’s upcoming horror/fantasy series “Locke and Key,” TheWrap has learned.

“Locke and Key” follows the Locke family — Nina (Stanchfield) and her three children — who move across the country to Nina’s family home (called the Keyhouse) after Nina’s husband Rendell is murdered. Once there, they discover that the house hides numerous horrifying supernatural secrets — and answers to the mystery of Rendell’s murder.

Netflix picked up the project, which is based on the IDW Publishing comic book franchise of the same name, for a 10-episode order last July, after Hulu passed on the pilot. In the Hulu version, Frances O’Connor played Stanchfield’s role — but she wasn’t the original Nina either. Back in 2011, “Locke & Key” was a pilot at Fox, and Miranda Otto was cast as Nina.

Also Read: 'Locke and Key': Netflix Finds Its Two Recast Locke Siblings for Comic Book Adaptation

Nina is described as a woman who “struggles with her new role as a single mom, as Rendell was always more the traditional parent type. She’s much more comfortable as an artist and house renovator.”

The Netflix series was created by comic book author Joe Hill and developed by Carlton Cuse, Aron Eli Coleite and Meredith Averill. Cuse and Averill will serve as co-showrunners.

When Netflix picked up the project, the series underwent a retooling. The changes — Cuse previously told TheWrap that virtually nothing from the Hulu pilot would be in the Netflix version — included re-casting two of the three Locke siblings.

Also Read: 'Locke and Key' From Carlton Cuse Gets Series Order at Netflix

Only Jackson Robert Scott, who played Bode Locke in the Hulu pilot, is staying on for the Netflix version. Emilia Jones and Connor Jessup were cast as the two other Locke siblings, Kinsey and Tyler Locke, respectively, in December.

Stanchfield previously starred as Abby Whelan on ABC’s “Scandal.” Other roles include Helen Bishop on “Mad Men,” the ex-wife of Rick Castle on ABC’s “Castle,” a recurring role on “NCIS” as the deceased wife of Leroy Gibbs, and April Green on “Jericho.” She’ll be seen in the upcoming “Stargirl” on Disney+ and in “Justine” from writer-director Stephanie Turner.

Deadline first reported the news of Stanchfield’s casting.

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