Michael Starr

Michael Starr

TV

Wallace reuniting with Spielberg for new ABC series

Dee Wallace is reuniting with Steven Spielberg, who famously directed her in “ET,” for Spielberg’s upcoming ABC series, “The Whispers,” which is shooting in Vancouver and will premiere in midseason. She’ll play a grandmother.

“It’s great to be reunited with the director who put me on the map,” says Wallace.  Coincidentally (or not), Spielberg was sent a copy of Wallace’s third book, “Bright Light,” which was published last year, and in which she talks about her spiritual journey. She has two new ebooks, “Wake Up Now! A Book of Universal Truths” and “Getting Stuff: Everything Is Possible,” both available on amazon.com.

“The Whispers,” produced by Spielberg, Soo Hugh, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Dawn Olmstead, stars Lily Rabe and Milo Ventimiglia and revolves around aliens who are using children to help with their invasion of Earth. Wallace has also appeared in “Grimm,” “Switched at Birth,” “Warehouse 13,” “The Office” and “Detroit 1-8-7,” among many other TV appearances.

In other casting news, Bernadette Peters will appear in Bravo’s upcoming series, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” which premieres Dec. 2 at 10 p.m. with Lisa Edelstein (“House”) starring as Lyla, who starts hanging out with her divorced friends (played by Janeane Garofalo and Beau Garrett) after her marriage and career simultaneously implode.

Peters will play Lyla’s mother, Annie, who comes for a visit to help take care of her kids. And, like Wallace, she’s an author: Her third children’s book will be published next spring, following on the heels of “Broadway Barks” and “Stella is a Star.”

“Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” will also boast “Orange Is the New Black” cast member Laverne Cox, who will guest-star as a Pulitzer Prize-winning war journalist. Cox recently became the first transgender actor in TV history to snare an Emmy nomination.

Last, but not least…

FX has renewed “Louie” (Louis CK) for a fifth season of seven episodes premiering next year…

Congrats to Neil Kendall, who’s been named executive vice president, development at Bounce AEG, where he will develop and produce TV projects for all platforms. Neil was most recently executive producer of “The Arsenio Hall Show”…

Paula Faris has joined the “Weekend GMA” anchor team, replacing Bianna Golodryga. She joins Dan Harris, Ron Claiborne, Sara Haines and the recently hired Rob Marciano, who starts in early September.