News > More Family Drama for 'Brothers & Sisters'
August 9, 2006
Via: Zap 2 It
ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," which has the plum post-"Desperate Housewives" spot this fall, is undergoing some more behind-the-scenes upheaval with the departure of its showrunner only a few weeks into production.
Marti Noxon, the former "Buffy the Vampire" writer-producer who joined the show in April during its pilot stage, has now left it. Filming isn't expected to be disrupted, however, while the series searches for a new executive producer to handle the day-to-day activity of the show.
Her departure was the result of creative differences with series creator Jon Robin Baitz, the showbiz trade papers report. The two reportedly had divergent views on the direction the family drama, which boasts a cast that includes Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths and Sally Field, should take.
Baitz, a playwright ("The Substance of Fire") and relative newcomer to television, will remain with the show. He executive produces with "Alias" veteran Ken Olin.
"Brothers & Sisters" has also undergone some recasting since the pilot was filmed. Field stepped in to replace Betty Buckley as the family's matriarch, and Matthew Rhys is replacing Jonathan LaPaglia as one of the siblings. Additionally, Matthew Settle ("Band of Brothers") has replaced Dan Futterman in a recurring part as Flockhart's husband.
Noxon, who was a consulting producer on FOX's "Prison Break" last season, will continue to work on new projects for "Brothers & Sisters" producer Touchstone TV. She signed a development deal with the studio earlier this year.
