NBC has picked up the drama pilot Kidnapped to series, sources said. Meanwhile, HBO has given the green light to The Unsuccessful Thug, a single-camera comedy pilot starring Mike Epps.

The Hollywood Reporter on the pilot-casting front, Diedrich Bader will be ABC's Mr Nice Guy; Leslie Hope has signed on to star in the CW's drama Runaway; Barry Bostwick has been cast in Fox's comedy pilot The 12th Man; Jere Burns have joined ABC's comedy pilot Help Me Help You; Jessy Schram has landed the lead in the CW's drama pilot Split Decision, with Vanessa Lengies also cast in the project; Jana Marie Hupp and Virginia Williams have been cast as the female leads in NBC's untitled Chris Sheridan comedy; and Rick Peters has come on board the CW's untitled Aquaman pilot.