The news surrounding HBO's comedy series Vice Principals is only getting better and better. The project, which was announced last May when HBO picked up 18 episodes (to run over several seasons), comes from creators/executive producers Danny McBride and Jody Hill.

You may recall that these two are the comedy masters behind Eastbound & Down (where McBride starred as the now iconic Kenny Powers), which aired on HBO for four seasons. David Gordon Green, who directed at least half of Eastbound & Down's episodes, is also on board to executive produce (no word yet on whether he will also direct, but I really hope he does; he made Eastbound a cinematic series, elevating even the most crass scenes into visual art).

Now on to the latest news: Justified's Walton Goggins and Boardwalk Empire's Shea Whigham (also currently on Agent Carter) have been cast in key roles for the series. It's going to be great seeing this new facet of Goggins, who usually only appears in drama series (although we have seen him as a woman). Also, I'm thrilled we're guaranteed now to be seeing him on a regular basis after Justified.

According to Deadline,

Vice Principals tells the story of a high school and the people who almost run it: the vice principals: Neal Gamby (McBride) and Lee Russell (Goggins), a conniving politician who enters into an unholy alliance with Gamby.

 

Whigham plays Ray Liptrapp, the new husband of Gamby’s ex (Busy Phillips), and frequent target of his hostility, despite being a genuine and supportive guy.

Some of this feels lightly like what Eastbound & Down touched on in its first season with April (Katy Mixon), the school (where she taught Art, Kenny taught Phys Ed briefly, and Stevie -- Steve Little -- also taught), and her fiancé, Principal Terrence Cutler (Andy Daly). Of course, knowing this crew's sensibilities with Eastbound, they'll probably take it to extremes we can't yet dream up (with a kickass soundtrack to boot, I hope).

Also never forget: Goggins as Venus van Damme on Sons of Anarchy: