USA NETWORK CASTS TIFFANI THIESSEN IN ORIGINAL SERIES PILOT "WHITE COLLAR"

NEW YORK � NOVEMBER 11, 2008 � USA Network announced the casting of Tiffani Thiessen ("What About Brian," "Beverly Hills, 90210") in the newly greenlit pilot WHITE COLLAR. Starring Matthew Bomer ("Chuck," "Tru Calling") and Tim DeKay ("Tell Me You Love Me," "Carnivale"), with Bronwen Hughes (USA's BURN NOTICE, "Breaking Bad," "Forces of Nature") set to direct the pilot. Thiessen will play Elizabeth, a very grounded, intelligent accountant, who also happens to be the wife of FBI Agent Peter Stokes (DeKay). Created and executive produced by Jeff Eastin ("Hawaii," "Meet the Marks"), WHITE COLLAR comes from Fox Television Studios. The announcement was made today by Jackie de Crinis, USA's executive vice president, original scripted programming.

"Tiffani will be such an amazing addition to WHITE COLLAR," said de Crinis. "She brings a beauty and warmth to this role that really makes the character come alive."

From Woody Allen's comedy, "Hollywood Ending," to "Beverly Hills, 90210," Thiessen's charisma has kept her career moving constantly forward and has gained her the adoration of millions internationally. Most recently, Thiessen was seen in "What About Brian." Other television credits include a nine-episode guest-starring role on NBC's "Good Morning, Miami," the Fox series "Fastlane," the NBC hit comedy "Just Shoot Me!" and has appeared in a recurring role on the ABC comedy "Two Guys and a Girl." She began modeling at the age of eight and soon went on to star in the television series, "Saved By the Bell" for five seasons. She was able to show her range when Aaron Spelling cast her in "Beverly Hills, 90210," where she portrayed multi-layered Valerie Malone for five seasons. Thiessen's feature films include her feature film debut in "Son in Law," opposite Pauly Shore; the comedy "Ladies Man," the independent film "Speedway Junky;" "Love Stinks" and the horror/comedy spoof "Shriek! If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth." In 2005, Thiessen started up her own production company called Tit 4 Tat Productions, which produced the short film called "Just Pray" the same year. Thiessen can be seen in the feature "Weapons," which premiered at Sundance in January, and is also set to direct "Hung," produced by Anne Clements.

WHITE COLLAR revolves around the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Bomer), an incredibly charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, G-Man extraordinaire Peter Stokes (DeKay). When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his long-lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail for his daring getaway, Neal suggests an alternate plan: he'll provide his cunning criminal expertise to assist the Feds in catching other notorious and elusive criminals. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that cannot be found on the right side of the law.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.