Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesWhite Collar‘s loss is Parks and Recreation‘s gain.
Natalie Morales, whose stint on the USA Network drama concluded on March 9 with the show’s season finale, is joining NBC’s Parks and Recreation for a multi-episode arc, sources confirm to me semi-exclusively.
Morales will play Lucy, a smart and funny busgirl at a local Pawnee bar.
Morales’ deal caps a busy couple of weeks for the casting gurus at Parks and Rec. As previously reported, departing Brothers & Sisters star Rob Lowe and Party Down‘s Adam Scott have booked recurring roles on the recently-renewed comedy. And last week it was announced that Paul Schneider (a.k.a. city planner Mark Brendanawicz) is leaving the show at the end of the season to focus on his burgeoning film career, which I’m still not happy about.
I’m happy about this. She wasn’t given much to do on “White Collar”, but I adored her on “The Middleman”. Hope she sticks around Pawnee!
NOOO!!! Why all these additions, even if temporary? The core cast that is funny – Tom/Ron/Andy/Leslie are key – give them more screen time and stop with all these additions. I have a sinking feeling Rob Lowe will weigh the show down – he will not be an Alec Baldwin type like they have on 30 Rock. If they want to make additions, nix everyone they have thought of recently and put Will Arnet on as a regular.
Totally agree on the Rob Lowe part. He stinks and I see no positives from this.
Screw Rob Lowe. He sucks.
I really enjoyed her on Middleman (which I thought was really fun)and she was the deciding factor for me to give White Collar a chance but was frustrated she didn’t get more to do on White Collar (which I’ve grown to quite like, so i guess they used her effectively to draw in one Middleman fan). Just today feared that she was gone off WC had to find out! But very happy she’s going to appear on Park&Rec. Go Nat!
semi-exclusively? Really? REALLY?
Is this the Today show chick?
I hope so. She is very talented and deserves this opportunity.
Nope. Different Natalie, Steve.
She should skip the boob tube and go straight to adult entertainment. Trust me, that is where the real money is. She also looks filthy.
Totally agree, it was a real pity to see nothing of her on White Collar, on one or two episodes, she was not even given lines to say.
The middleman showed she’s an excelelnt actress, let’s hope parks & recreation is the big break out for her !
@ Carine – You can’t be serious!! White Collar is a horrible show. Besides that, so is Natalie Morales, she can’t act and she looks filthy!
Agree that White Collar totally wasted her. She needs a series of her own. She was terrific on Middleman (and I still mourn its passing).
I agree. White Collar is great, but she’s wasted on there. And I absolutely her on The Middleman. Too bad that show couldn’t stick around. Hopefully they pair her up with Aziz Ansari on Parks & Recreation. I think they’d make an excellent comedic duo.
thats exactly what i was thinking! Poor Tom needs to get over Wendy.
Agreed! She’s so talented, and seems like a sweet, intelligent person, too (judging from interviews and DVD commentaries). I’d love to see her in a leading role again. On P&R, though, I’d like to see her match wits with Adam Scott. They’d make a cute couple. I hope the show doesn’t underuse her like White Collar did.
Also, someone PLEASE cast Matt Keeslar in a TV show. I miss him.
She looks like she could play Amanda Peet’s sister.
OMG! Thank You!!! I thought I was seeing things, but I had the same exact reaction. They’re like semi-twins (ok, maybe not that much, but still.)
They do look similar. However you would only find those women hot if you are into filthy trash! I mean come on, the makeup, the short skirts and dresses. I shall cast the first stone and call her a whore!
That’s a man, baby!
Too funny! We just call her “The Latina Amanda Peet” at our house. Glad we’re not the only ones who see the resemblance.
@ Yes – Please tell us more. What other dumb names do you have for celebrities? Do you call Kevin Federline, Fed-Ex. Try posting something worthwhile.
She told a story on Twitter about being mistaken for Amanda Peet once.
@ Sharona – Was it a detailed story or was it limited to a 140 characters, you twit! Thanks for the worthless post.
sasha is one angry lady – calm down, would ya
Sasha Grey – haven’t you got better things to do with your time than troll around message boards? You are truly pathetic. Grow up.
I just want more Andy. Anyone else can come and go — just give me more Andy.
I liked her on White Collar though, so I bet she’ll be great in Pawnee too.
Glad to see Mark Brandanawicz exiting the show. Didn’t really think he brought anything to the table. And, was bored everytime he and Anne were on-screen. Love how Andy has more air-time. I just LOVE this show!!!
With a cast of eccentric characters, you need some that are more grounded, i.e. “normal” which he was.
With Mark gone Anne needs to become a recurring character. Anne doesn’t also doesn’t bring anything. The voice of reasons on The Office or 30 Rock do but not Mark or Anne. If there are episodes dealing with The Lot then she can appear. They are both great actors but creatively they bog the show down. When Anne was gone for two episodes did anyone notice or care? This past episode when she was in it for 2 minutes.
I don’t like Anne, but I can see she kinda serves the purpose of friend to Lesley. Unlike The Office, it’s nice to see the boss has friends and people that like her. But if Anne left, I definitely wouldn’t be sad at all because Lesley is becoming actual friends with the other co-workers. I was happy with the Mark news- the character’s a total dud.
yay for Natalie I was so excited when she joined White Collar then was left completely disappointed by how they left her to the sidelines. More shows need a bit of Natalie in their lives
I’m happy about all the casting info, except Rob Lowe, in yet what is most likely to be ANOTHER government position. SURPRISE! He might as well become a politician from playing one so darn much.
I liked her on White Collar but I much prefer Sharif Atkins and Marsha Thomason as Peter’s agents. Glad to see she got on another show though.
I agree with you Sammi. I also prefer Sharif Atkins and Marsha Thomason. I’m not upset at all that Natalie will no longer be on WHITE COLLAR. I really wasn’t a fan of her character at all on the show.
Ugh that awful show needs to stop stealing people away from the shows I DO watch!
I like her White Collar and want her back!
they need to stop adding new cast members and give more to the recurring cast. Retta is SO woefully underused.
Good for Natalie. I love White Collar but they totally wasted her on that show. Sadly I don’t watch Parks and Recreation so I will probably miss her. I still want her cast as Annie on the Americanized version of Being Human.
Ooooh… that would be interesting. Is someone making an American version, or are you just hoping for one?
I’ve seen rumblings about it, I’m not sure how close to official it is.
I’ll reserve judgement on the new additions, but please don’t stop developing Jerry & Donna. They are really becoming hilarious supporting players.
I love Donna!
And not to play Aus (though it’s so much fun!), but I believe Jerry has a pivotal role in this week’s ep.