Natalia Cigliuti Joins Cast of TNT’s New Legal Drama "Raising the Bar"

Actress to Play Public Defender Roberta “Bobbi” Gilardi Opposite Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek as Steven Bochco’s Eagerly Anticipated Series is Set to Premiere on TNT in September

6/18/2008 -- Natalia Cigliuti (All My Children) has joined the cast of TNT’s RAISING THE BAR, the latest series from producer, Steven Bochco. Playing newly hired public defender Roberta “Bobbi” Gilardi, she will co-star opposite Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue), Gloria Reuben (ER) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), as well as Teddy Sears (Ugly Betty), Melissa Sagemiller (Sleeper Cell), Currie Graham (Boston Legal), J. August Richards (Conviction) and Jonathan Scarfe (Into the West). RAISING THE BAR, which was created by Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige (Indefensible), is slated to premiere on TNT in September.

RAISING THE BAR follows the lives and cases of young attorneys who have been friends since law school, but who now work on opposing sides of a necessary but flawed system. Cigliuiti’s character, a Brooklyn native, is brought in to help cover the enormous work load faced by the public defender’s office. Her passion for her clients and her work is matched by her equally passionate co-worker, Jerry Kellerman (Gosselaar), who flirtatiously calls her “Bobbi from Brooklyn.” Jerry’s interest in Bobbi, however, must be kept in check, since Bobbi is already married, though her relationship with her medical-resident husband may not be as solid as she initially indicates.

A native of New York, Cigliuti got her television career started with a regular role on the series Saved by the Bell: The New Class, the follow-up to the show that launched Gosselaar’s career. She has since scored regular or recurring roles in CSI: Miami, Beverly Hills 90210, Pacific Palisades, Waterfront and the daytime serial All My Children. Her film credits include Joe Dirt, Simon Sez, Hollywood Horror, Fearless and Skooled, as well as the television movie Attack of the Killer “B” Movies.

RAISING THE BAR comes to TNT from ABC Studios and Bochco Media, with Bochco serving as executive producer. Bochco and Feige wrote the story for the pilot episode, and Feige wrote the script. The pilot was directed by Jesse Bochco (The Closer), who also serves as co-executive producer.

ABC Studios has emerged as a leader in programming development and production by creating critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the television industry. The studio's brand identity as a haven for filmmakers for broadcast and cable networks resulted in an impressive slate of programming. ABC Studios is part of Disney-ABC Television Group, a division of The Walt Disney Company.

Turner Network Television (TNT), television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks, offers original series, including the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; Raising the Bar, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Truth in Advertising, with Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Bones, Cold Case, Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Source: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

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