EXCLUSIVE: Hot young actor Max Thieriot has landed the lead in ABC’s untitled Roland Emmerich drama pilot, from ABC Studios and the Mark Gordon Co. Written by Emmerich and Harold Kloser and to be directed by Emmerich, the project centers on Carter (Thieriot), an astrophysics grad student in NYC who learns that he is the chosen one to destroy the forces of evil. Also cast in the pilot is Gabriella Wilde (ICM, UK’s Tavistock Wood) as Carter’s girlfriend. Thieriot, repped by Gersh and attorney Scott Whitehead, recently wrapped features Disconnect and Foreverland and will next be seen in House At The End Of The Street.

No Ordinary Family alumna Autumn Reeser is back at ABC. The actress has joined the cast of the network’s drama pilot Last Resort starring Andre Braugher. The Sony TV-produced project centers on the crew of the USS Nevada, a nuclear submarine, that becomes fugitives after disobeying a suspicious order. They land on the island of Sainte Marina, where they take over the NATO Listening Station and declare themselves an independent nuclear nation. Reeser, repped by Gersh and KLWGN, will play Kylie, a charming lobbyist for her family’s weapons manufacturing company.

Kevin Alejandro has been cast in CBS’ untitled Nick Wootton-Greg Berlanti drama pilot (formerly Golden Boy ), which chronicles a cop’s meteoric rise from officer to detective and eventually police commissioner. Alejandro will play the top detective in the squad who is disturbed by the new guy’s arrival and plots to derail his career. Alejandro, who received multiple test offers, is coming off back-to-back regular roles on Southland and True Blood . He is with Gersh and MainTitle.