We have until Midseason 2013 to wait for NBC's Smash to return for its second season. Until then, those of us who enjoyed the Broadway-focused musical-drama series will have to rely on the casting news and other updates to tide us over during the hiatus. Today, that comes in the form of two actors who are being added to the cast as series regulars, one of whom has already appeared numerous times in the series' first season.
Deadline reports that Leslie Odom Jr. has been promoted to series regular on Smash for Season 2. Last season, he recurred in the role of Sam, the ensemble dancer and Tom's love interest. Perhaps this bit of news means we can expect the two characters' relationship to develop further. Their developing romance was one of the things I liked about Season 1, so more Sam seems like a step in the right direction for the show.
In other casting news, (vague spoiler alert): Katharine McPhee's character Karen is getting a roommate! Given how things left off with her and Dev (and Raza Jaffrey's exit from the series), it makes sense that her living situation would change. The Hollywood Reporter posted word that Broadway actress Krysta Rodriguez is joining the series for Season 2 as a regular. Her stage credits include A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening and In the Heights. Her TV roles are limited to an uncredited appearance on Late Show with David Letterman and an episode of Gossip Girl, the latter of which reportedly put her in the path of Josh Safran, who's the new Smash showrunner.
Rodriguez' character Ana is described as "spunky" and "a Broadway ensemble player looking to make her mark." Competition to Karen or a confidant? Maybe a little bit of both? We'll have to wait and see.
