nancy lenehan

The stars are aligning for pilot season! Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti and Mike O'Malley have all landed key roles in network pilots.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Emerson has landed the lead role in CBS's 'Persons of Interest,' reteaming him with 'Lost' mastermind J.J. Abrams. The pilot from Jonah Nolan follows an ex-CIA agent who teams with a billionaire, played by Emerson, to fight crime in New York City. Abrams is on board as executive producer.

Emerson was previously attached to star in a lighthearted spy series with fellow 'Lost' veteran Terry O'Quinn, but the script was not turned around in time for pilot season.

In other casting news ...

• Christine Lahti will play the lead in 'The Doctor,' CBS's new medical drama pilot. Lahti will play a mom and doctor who reconnects with her grown child at the family's medical practice. [Entertainment Weekly]

• 'Glee' breakout star Mike O'Malley has joined the cast of Fox's 'Family Album.' The Emmy-nominated actor will play a dad who embarks on an epic family vacation. Each season would feature a new vacation. [Vulture]

• Amber Benson is returning to 'Supernatural.' The 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' actress will reprise the role of Lenore, a good vampire. [Zap2It]

(S05E10) When a bully is revealed at the school Little Ritchie attends, Christine is clearly worried that her son is being victimized. But while Old Christine followed the traditional sitcom formula for a bit at the beginning, by the time we reached the end of the episode, it had gone somewhere only Christine Campbell can take it.

Even better we got a surprise return, though it's something I've kind of been waiting for all season, and a hilarious guest appearance by Amy Sedaris. I can't understand why Sedaris hasn't blown up even bigger than she has. If Michael Strahan can get a big network comedy built around him, why they hell can't Amy Sedaris?

She took what could have been a pretty ordinary guest appearance, and turned it into a powerhouse performance all on its own through sheer force of will and talent.