autumn reeser, kristoffer polaha, and robert baker were the first actors announced to join the series on july 15, 2008. just days after the first announcement on july 18, 2008 the hollywood reporter announced that jaime murray would also be part of the cast, playing the show's title character grace valentine. on july 19, the cw formally announced the shows cast, adding nikki snelson, patrick fabian and greg ellis to the previously announced actors on the show. prior to production of the pilot nikki snelson had to leave the cast due to conflicts with her role in the 2008 tour of "a chorus line". as a result, christine lakin joined the cast, replacing snelson as romance novelist kate.