Minka Kelly part of CW's 'Body Politic'

Talks for new season of 'Friday Night Lights' ongoing

By Nellie Andreeva

March 11, 2009, 09:06 PM ET

Updated: March 11, 2009, 10:24 PM ET

Minka Kelly is going to Washington.

The "Friday Night Lights" star has been tapped as the lead of the CW's drama pilot "Body Politic."

She is joined by an alum from another critically praised but low-rated series, "Veronica Mars' " Jason Dohring, who also been cast in the pilot.

"Body Politic," from CBS Par, is a look at Washington politics through the eyes of optimistic up-and-coming staffers.

Kelly will play Hope, an all-American girl who leaves her life in Michigan after the death of her mother and heads to D.C., where her long-lost dad, Sen. Webster (Tim Matheson), has just been appointed Attorney General, and takes a job on his staff.

Dohring will play a reporter with the Washington Post.

For the "FNL" fans whose hearts started racing, Kelly's new gig is not an sign that "FNL" is not coming back. Negotiations between NBC and DirecTV are still going on, and insiders are optimistic that the show will return for a fourth season.

But given the fact that Kelly's character on the show, Lyla, graduated from high school this season and is off to college, she is not going to be a regular next season but will return for a multiepisode arc if "FNL" clinches a fourth-season pickup.

The series' producers used a similar tactic for Gaius Charles and Scott Porter, regulars on the first two seasons, who were brought back for four episodes each this season to wrap up their characters' stories post-high school.

Minka Kelly part of CW's 'Body Politic'

Talks for new season of 'Friday Night Lights' ongoing

By Nellie Andreeva

March 11, 2009, 09:06 PM ET

Updated: March 11, 2009, 10:24 PM ET