James Spader loves to dance with David E. Kelley.
That’s why the actor decided to star in Kelley’s spinoff of ABC’s “The Practice.” “David and I have this wonderful dance we do,” says Spader, 44. “I want more information, yet I love it when he surprises me. I asked for more information, and he continued to surprise me.”
No surprise that Spader will star in the new drama, about a Boston civil law firm that Spader’s Alan Shore joins after being fired by Berluti, Frutt & Young. (“The Practice” ends its eight-season run in May.)
As the new guy this season, Spader quickly proved why he’s an art-house film star (“Secretary”; “sex, lies, and videotape”), dominating every scene in which the smarmy Shore appears.
ABC has ordered 22 episodes of the still-untitled series. No word on Spader’s salary, but Hollywood insiders say it’s far above his current $100,000-per-episode paycheck.
Also no word on which “Practice” cast members will follow Spader. At this point, only one is said to be a lock: Rhona Mitra, who plays paralegal Tara Wilson.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Joe Knowles ([email protected])