(news.yahoo.com) - Australian actress Rose Byrne, who appeared in "Marie Antoinette," will star opposite Glenn Close in the pilot for FX's untitled legal thriller.
The project centers on Ellen Parsons (Byrne), a beautiful, self-possessed attorney fresh out of law school who lands her dream job working for Patty Hughes (Close), America's foremost high-stakes litigator.
Byrne was cast after reading for the role with Close.
"It was spectacular," executive producer Todd Kessler said of Byrne's audition. "The chemistry between her and Glenn was phenomenal from the moment they got together."
Additionally, Tate Donovan ("The O.C.") will play Tom Kent, Hughes' senior legal associate and most trusted adviser, a measured, thoughtful and extremely able attorney. Zeljko Ivanek ("24") will play a Southern legal war horse, Hughes' opposing attorney in a major case that would play out during the show's first season.
Production is slated to begin in early February in New York.