James Van Der Beek To Star In CBS Comedy Pilot ‘Friends With Better Lives’

‘Friends With Better Lives’ Gets Series Order At CBS

Don’t Trust The B— In Apt. 23 co-star James Van Der Beek has been tapped as a lead in Dana Klein’s CBS comedy pilot Friends With Better Lives, which is directed by James Burrows. The multi-camera project, from 20th Century Fox TV and Kaplan Entertainment, revolves around six 30-something friends who each think the other has it better. Van Der Beek, repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment, will play one of them, Will, a sarcastic gynecologist who expects the absolute worst from everyone after his (soon-to-be) ex-wife’s infidelity.

Apt. 23 was Van Der Beek’s first major comedy series gig that followed his viral FunnyOrDie videos. He liked the experience and liked working with Apt. 23 producer 20th TV, which led to him signing on for another half-hour project with the studio. The Dawson’s Creek alum currently stars in the Geffen Playhouse’s production of The Gift and will next be seen in the Jason Reitman feature Labor Day. Van Der Beek is the second Apt. 23 cast member to book a pilot. Star Krysten Ritter toplines the NBC comedy Assistance.

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