Earlier this year, The CW ordered a pilot for “iZombie,” an adaptation of the Vertigo comic book series created by Chris Roberson and Mike Allred in 2010. While most of the supporting roles have already been filled, the lead character has finally been cast.
Deadline is reporting that Rose McIver has landed the lead role as Olivia “Liv” Moore, a med student who has become a very human-like zombie. In order to maintain her humanity, Liv has to eat brains; which also has the side effect of giving Liv the memories of the brain’s original owner.
The CW has changed the premise of “iZombie” by giving it a procedural angle in which Liv works in a coroner’s office and uses her new power to help a police detective (played by Malcolm Goodwin) solve crimes that would otherwise go cold.
McIver recurred during the first season of Showtime’s “Masters of Sex” and she was Tinkerbell on “Once Upon a Time.” However, McIver is best known for her roles in The Lovely Bones and “Power Rangers: RPM,” in addition to her guest stints on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “The Legend of The Seeker.”
The “iZombie” cast also includes Robert Buckley as Liz’s former fiance, Major; Nora Dunn as Liz’s mother, Eva; Alexandra Krosney as Liz’s best friend, Peyton and David Anders as Blaine, “an entitled rich kid who bites off more than he can chew in the drug business.”
“Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas is writing and producing the “iZombie” pilot alongside his frequent collaborator, Diane Ruggiero. Production of the “iZombie” pilot is expected to begin soon.