Anna Wood

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Mount Airy native Anna Wood, who recently starred in multi-episode supporting role as Nichole Freshette in the TV series “Deception,” is filming a CBS pilot in Charleson, S.C.

From guest spots to supporting roles, and now with a role as a female lead in a pilot that could be developed into a series, Anna Wood’s career is on the rise.

The CBS pilot, with a working title of “Reckless,” is a “sultry legal drama” starring Anna Wood in the lead role as Jamie, a Yankee lawyer, and Cam Gigandet as Roy, a Southern attorney. Sparks of attraction fly between the two lead roles, who stand on opposite sides of a police sex scandal.

Anna’s parents are Bert and Mary Beth Wood of Mount Airy. Bert Wood said he is “exceptionally proud” of his daughter, and has high hopes that CBS will pick up the show for the pilot season.

“What is so exciting for us is that Anna has the lead and there is potential for this to be picked up [for the fall season].”

Bert Wood said that his daughter flew into South Carolina last Thursday night, “went through wardrobe and table readings over the weekend” then began filming yesterday.

“The estimate is 15- or 16-hour-long days for six days a week,” said Wood, which is a heavy load for anyone, but during pilot season this is the norm, in order for the project to be completed.

The first part of the year is known as pilot season in the television industry; it is the time when pilot episodes are filmed for consideration from networks, who may decide to pick up the pilot for their fall season or the mid-season in early 2014.

“Anna had around 100 auditions since Jan. 1; it is pilot season and the process of filming moves pretty quickly,” Bert Wood said.

According to Wood, who fully acknowledges he is no expert in the process, around 90 pilot shows are filmed, and only around 20 will be picked up by the networks. From those 20, half or less will end up as part of the fall 2013 and mid-season lineup.

After the initial pilot episode filming is completed, the waiting game begins. The pilot episode is compiled and edited, then sent out to focus groups and executives who will decide if there is a slot, demographics, and a market for the show.

Networks begin announcing their picks for the fall lineup in May or June and the pilots picked for fall will film through the summer.

If Anna’s series is one of those chosen, she will remain in Charleston for the filming of the series.

“She will relocate for up to six months for the filming of the first season,” said Bert Wood.

The series is being filmed under the name of “Reckless,” but the name and elements of the show could be changed.

Also involved in the pilot are Kim Wayans, sister to Damon Wayans and part of the famous Wayans family of actors. One of the producers, Dana Stevens, wrote the screenplay for the Nicholas Sparks’ movie “Safehaven” as well as the film “City of Angels.”

Anna also filmed a pilot TV episode last year, entitled “Trooper” with Mira Sorvino, that was not picked up, but according to her father, all the experience “keeps building her credentials and her portfolio” which will help her pick up more roles in the future.

In an industry where competition is tough for the average actor, roles for females are even more difficult to find, according to Bert Wood: “It is a tough industry…having talent, looks, tenacity, and belief in oneself is essential.”

Wood’s career started in community and local theater, performing in Surry Arts Council, Mount Airy High school and Cherry Orchard Theater productions. She completed high school at North Carolina School of the Arts and continued in the same institution, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2003.

She has starred in multiple television and film roles, including guest spots in “Royal Pains,” “Cold Case,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Mad Men,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “House of Lies,” and a role in the popular film “Chronicle.”

Anna married her husband, Dane DeHaan, last year, whom she met at the School of the Arts. DeHaan is involved in multiple projects and is in New York City filming “The Amazing Spiderman 2.” He also has an upcomign film with Reece Witherspoon and Colin Firth called “Devil’s Knot,” a film starring Ryan Gosslin and Bradley Cooper called “The Place Beyond the Pines, as well as a 3D movie with Metallica, “Metallica Through the Never.”

Reach Jessica Johnson at jessicajohnson@civitasmedia.com or 719-1933.