Kristen Bell joins Showtime's 'House of Lies'

Kristen Bell just got cast as a "razor-sharp Ivy League graduate" in Showtime's "House of Lies," which makes us wonder: Does she just keep getting more ruthless with each role? Yes, she was very sweet as Veronica Mars, but we like her way better when she's making Jason Segel cry while naked or screaming at Adam Scott through a Bluetooth headset.

So it sounds as if her part in this new dark comedy from Matthew Carnahan ("Dirt") fits her well. Described as "a subversive, scathing look at a self-loathing management consultant from a top-tier firm," "House of Lies" stars Don Cheadle as Marty, a "highly successful, cutthroat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his clients the information they want," and finds Bell in the role of Jeannie Van Der Hooven, an ambitious woman who works at Marty's firm.

Based on Martin Kihn's tell-all book "House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time," the series has also tapped Ben Schwartz ("Parks and Recreation") and Josh Lawson ("Romantically Challenged") as employees at Marty's firm, and Glynn Turman ("In Treatment") as Marty's father. We look forward to seeing Bell crush them all beneath her sensible career-lady shoes.

-- Melissa Maerz

Photo: Kristen Bell. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[M]

Veronica Mars was one of the most (loveably) ruthless characters on tv. Go back and watch all three season and you'll see that the character's mo is to seek revenge on anyone who looks at her sideways. No one would EVER describe Ms. Mars as 'sweet'. Ever.

[Danforth Banner]

Ben Schwartz! WHOOOOOO!

[tnad]

Veronica Mars sweet? I disagree. More like a sweet devil :)

[John]

In a parallel way to Sarah Michelle Gellar with Buffy, Veronica Mars seemed to be K-Bell's defining role, and nothing since has measured up to it.

I'm happy for her, though, and hope that she makes the most of it and the show gets maximum mileage out of having her in the cast.

[Kenneth Stark]

Kristen Bell won me over with her "Veronica Mars" role, gotta watch her in anything she is in. Hope this role is as good or better than "Veronica"!

[samuel abiodun]

hi kristen bell, I, love the way you ac t on movie ,the movement,the way you shake and the award you won, it so fantastic ,beautifull am crazy with you and so happy to tell you about that lady you are wonderfull ,I love you, thanks.