The Broadway-to-30 Rock hunk has been conscripted to join Ryan Murphy's HBO pilot Open. Deadline Hollywood reports that Cheyenne Jackson's role is one Murphy has created specifically for him--"a handsome meth addict," and that the show is "a modern, provocative exploration of human sexuality and relationships." And it's HBO so you can count on some bare asses.
The five series regulars are all potential gay and lesbian hearthrobs, though Jackson is the only out actor from the cast that includes Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible: III), Scott Speedman (the most adorable thing from Felicity), Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games, American Beauty), Anna Torv (TV's Fringe), and Jennifer Jason Leigh (Single White Female).
In other Ryan Murphy news: His American Horror Story series has been renewed for a fourth season, and Jessica Lange, who has had starring roles in the first three seasons, including as leader of a coven of witches in AHS: Coven, has said that this fourth series will be her last. This AHS series has been killing it in viewership, up 77% over the Murder House season. The show's central women-of-a-certain-age cast (also features Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Patti LuPone, Francis Conroy) is supplemented by out actors Denis O'Hare and Sarah Paulson (and Zachary Quinto in seasons past). But it's not just gay men responsible for the increased viewership. This season is "easily on pace to set a record as the highest-rated adults 18-34 program in FX history," according to Deadline Hollywood.
Oh yeah, and there's a Glee spinoff rumored starring Lea Michelle. But Fox says it isn't so.
