Akerman, Smart cast in 'Smart One' pilot

SmartJean Smart and Malin Akerman have been added to the cast of ABC pilot "The Smart One." From writer Donald Todd, who exec produces with former Comedy Central exec Lauren Corrao and Ellen DeGeneres, "The Smart One" stars Portia de Rossi. She plays Jude, a successful woman who begrudgingly goes to work for her less-brainy but more popular sister and a former beauty queen (Ackerman), who is now a big-city mayor. Smart will play Helen, the mother of the two sisters. She has been a TV staple in recent years, playing parts in "Harry's Law," "Hawaii Five-0" and "Bleep My Dad Says." De Rossi's most recent small-screen work came in ABC's "Better Off Ted." She's probably best known for her role in Fox's "Arrested Development." Multicam comedy is from Warner Bros. Television and a Very Good Production. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com