Jane Lynch has been an Ohio gym teacher on “Glee,” a Las Vegas mental patient on “Criminal Minds” and a Los Angeles messenger of God on “Angel From Hell,” but her next proposed TV series will bring her back home to Chicago — sort of.
Lynch was cast this week as a Northwest Sider who takes in her newly single daughter on “Bucktown,” a series in the running for the ABC prime-time schedule.
While set in Chicago — and in the titular neighborhood, specifically — “Bucktown” probably won’t be locally made like “Chicago Fire” or “The Chi.” A spokeswoman for the show said the pilot will be made in Los Angeles.
The pilot was written by Emily Wilson, a former Chicagoan who used to perform at iO, Annoyance Theatre and Second City. She went on to TV jobs at “Superior Donuts” and “The Kids Are Alright” and now is co-executive producer of “The Conners.” One of that show’s stars and executive producers, Sara Gilbert, also is working on “Bucktown.”
Shannon Woodward (“Westworld”) stars on “Bucktown” as Amy, an ambitious aspiring copywriter at a Chicago ad agency. Dumped by her boyfriend, Amy moves into Mom’s house, where her teenage niece also is dwelling.
Nicole Richie, the fashion designer and “The Simple Life” alum, plays Amy’s self-centered boss.
Lynch, a graduate of Thornridge High School in south suburban Dolton, lately has been most visible as host of the NBC shows “Hollywood Game Night” and “The Weakest Link.” She will be part of a “Glee” reunion April 8 during the GLADD Media Awards. Cast members will gather in honor of co-star Naya Rivera, who drowned last July.
