January Jones Joins Will Forte In Fox Comedy Series The Last Man On Earth

Fox’s upcoming post-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Man on Earth continues to gather speed and new cast members. The half-hour show is set to debut next spring, with writer-actor Will Forte in the leading role as an average joe who leads a bunch of survivors after an unknown extinction event eradicates most of the Earth’s population.

Now, thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, we know who’s set to join him. Mad Men‘s January Jones will appear as a series regular with Kristen Schaal (30 Rock, Flight of the Conchords), Mel Rodriguez (Getting On) and Cleopatra Coleman (Step Up Revolution) also climbing aboard the futuristic romp.

Created and written by leading man, Forte, the network has enlisted 22 Jump Street and The LEGO Movie helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller to direct the pilot. So far, details on the plot are sketchy, but hint at the usage of flashbacks to tell part of the story. It’s unknown which of the newest cast additions will pop up in the ‘pre-apocalypse’ segments or not, but by the sounds of a brief character profile, at least one of them has got the skills to make it.

Jones’ character, Melissa, is described as a “strong independent spirit” with a mixture of “warmth, strength, and a no-nonsense attitude.” There’s little mention of the other three actresses, except the names of their on-screen counterparts; Schaal will play Carol, Coleman has been cast as Erica and Rodriguez has been tapped for the role of optimist, Todd. A strong female line-up and Forte, Miller and Lord working their magic suggests we’ll be tuning in next year. Will you?

The Last Man on Earth will debut on Fox at 9pm on March 1, 2015.