VIDEO : Kristin Chenoweth Replacing John Lithgow For New Season Of NBC Series

NBC has found its new accused killer for season two of Trial and Error.
Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth has been tapped for the central role in the sophomore season. The Pushing Daisies Emmy winner replaces John Lithgow, who played the hapless killer Larry Henderson in the freshman run of the show.
Chenoweth will take on the role of Lavinia Peck-Foster, who is described as the first lady of East Peck who is a larger-than-life grand dame ? at least in her own mind. She is an eccentric heiress known for her flamboyant outfits, large hats and hairless cat, Fluffy, who has not left the confines of Peck Gardens in ages. Lavinia calls on Josh Segal and Associates ? the team that got off Owl Murderer Larry Henderson ? to defend her after she was found with her husband, Edgar, stuffed into a suitcase in the back of her car.
"We are delighted to have such a comedic powerhouse join our show,? said executive producer Jeff Astrof. ?When we decided we were doing a murderess, we knew there could be only one person big enough to fill John Lithgow?s skates. She was our first choice all along and thankfully for us became available at the right time. Murdering and karaoke in East Peck will never be more fun.?
Astrof previously told THR that each season of the comedy would see Nicholas D'Agosto's Josh and his rag-tag legal team defend a new suspected killer in each season of the murder spoof.
?I?m excited to slip into a role that feels very right for me at this time,? Chenoweth said. ?Plus, I?m surrounded by genius comedic actors and brilliant writing. I admire John Lithgow so much and want to make him proud by continuing what he began.?
Chenoweth's credits include Glee, Pushing Daisies and The West Wing. She most recently recurred as goddess Easter on Starz's American Gods. Her future with the Starz drama remains unclear after showrunner and her frequent collaborator Bryan Fuller (and co-showrunner Michael Green) were pushed out after clashing with American Gods producers Fremantle.
A season two premiere date for Trial and Error, written and exec produced by Astrof and Matt Miller, has not yet been determined.
Chenoweth, a Tony winner for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and nominee for Wicked and On the Twentieth Century, is repped by ICM Partners, 3 Arts and Schreck Rose.