'Heroes' Star Adrian Pasdar Joins USA's 'Political Animals'

USA Network's upcoming drama Political Animals has added a hero to its star-studded cast.

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Heroes star Adrian Pasdar has joined the cable network's six-episode series from executive producers by Greg Berlanti and Laurence Mark. It premieres at 10 p.m. July 15.

Animals centers on Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver), a divorced former first lady, who is struggling to keep her family together while simultaneously dealing with the crises of the State Department. She finds an unlikely ally in a famous D.C. journalist (Carla Gugino) who has spent her career tearing Elaine down.

Pasdar, who stars in ABC Family's The Lying Game, will recur in all six episodes as President Paul Garcetti, who defeated Elaine in the presidential primary and appointed her Secretary of State. Described as a "smart man," Garcetti uses every resource at his disposal to his advantage and deftly uses Elaine's popularity to deflect unwanted attention.

Pasdar joins Weaver, Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, James Wolk, Sebastian Stan, Ellen Burstyn and Brittany Ishibashi in the cast.

Principal photography has begun in Philadelphia.

Berlanti wrote and will direct the first episode, while Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth will design Weaver's wardrobe for the pilot. Berlanti, Mark and Sarah Caplan (Brothers and Sisters, GCB) serve as EPs, with Melissa Kellner Berman as co-EP.

The project comes from Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television.

Pasdar, best known for playing Nathan Petrelli on NBC's Heroes from 2006-10, is repped by ICM and Fidelity Management.