Charlie Sheen has found his new goddess. Or rather, his new ex-goddess. Shawnee Smith, formerly of Becker and the Saw film series, has been cast as Sheen’s former wife for his new FX comedy, Anger Management.
According to Deadline, Shawnee’s still-to-be-named character will be a major part of the show, which has Sheen playing a retired baseball player, also named Charlie, who has, you guessed it, anger management issues.
The twist is he decides to deal with his rage by becoming an anger coach for others. Anger Management is loosely based on the like-titled 2003 film starring Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler.
Apparently, Charlie’s ex remains a constant in his life, despite their messy breakup in which he was caught cheating. She has become quite the man-eater, though, and has begun “searching for a life path after living in Charlie’s shadow for a long time.”
Shawnee’s signing is a bit of a surprise, given that Sheen and FX’s have said that their first choice for the part was Julie Benz (Dexter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Kate Reinders (Work It) and Nicole Hiltz (In Plain Sight) were also up for the role.
The crew behind Anger Management is also on the lookout for the show’s secondary leading lady: Charlie’s therapist. Rumour has it Selma Blair (Kath & Kim, Legally Blonde) is a contender, but Elaine Hendrix of 90210 and Joan of Arcadia is also being considered.
However, Deadline says FX wants to “read additional actresses before making a decision.” On Sheen’s former show, Two and a Half Men, his therapist was played by Glee’s Jane Lynch.
Unlike Two and a Half Men, which keeps its women swimming in spiteful mother, prudish girlfriend and dumb tramp clichés, Anger Management is said to contain a fair amount of girl power.
FX president John Landgraf told said at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour that Sheen specifically asked for strong female co-stars.
“He wants do a show in which he as an actor has more complicatedly positive relationships with women,” he explained. “My opinion is that that could be a really good thing, not only for Charlie, but it could be a good thing for society.”
Anger Management is set to debut on FX and FX Canada in June. It only has 10 episodes set to air so far, but 90 more will be produced if it is a hit.
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