While the new version of pilot for The Selection has gone with newcomers for its leads, the potential series has tapped a very familiar face and name to join its supporting cast. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Head has been tapped to co-star in the pilot, playing the king and patriarch of the royal family that governs the nation in this futuristic story.
Based on Kiera Cass' novel by the same name, and written by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, The Selection is set hundreds of years in the future in a reality where a lottery is held, which allows 25 women the opportunity to compete to become the princess. The story follows America Singer (played by Israeli actress Yael Grobglas), a young woman who's reluctant to participate in the competition, regardless of how coveted her spot is by most girls. Newcomer Michael Malarkey is set to play the role of the Royal Prince Maxon, the princely prize these women are vying to marry. And today, THR reports that Anthony Head will play Maxon's father, King Clarkson. The role, which was originally played by Martin Donovan in the first pilot, is described as " seasoned leader and politico who warns his son, Maxon, that he'll have to give up any idea of romantic love and that his choice should be based on making a powerful political alliance."
Since his days of playing Buffy's watcher, mentor and father-figure in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Head has gone on to play a number of small screen roles, including Stephen in the U.K. comedy Free Agents, a role he reprised for the U.S. version of the series, which was canceled during its first season. His other recent credits include Merlin and Dancing on Edge, both U.K. series, though Merlin plays on Syfy on this side of the pond. Still, this is certainly great news for those of us who have wanted to see the actor back on the small screen on network television. And should The Selection go to series, this will bring him back (kind of) to the network that was once home to Buffy, when the CW was UPN and The WB.
