Welcome to pilot season, folks.
Marc Cherry, the creator of “Desperate Housewives” and “Devious Maids,” has landed ABC’s first pilot order of the season. His untitled one-hour drama is headed to Disney broadcaster courtesy of ABC Studios, and will star Reba McEntire. The country star will also executive produce the project, which itself was previously announced.
The potential series follows Ruby Adair (McEntire), the sheriff of colorful small town Oxblood, Ky., who finds her red state outlook challenged when a young FBI agent of Middle Eastern descent is sent to help her solve a horrific crime.
Together they form an uneasy alliance as Ruby takes the agent behind the lace curtains of this Southern Gothic community to meet an assortment of bizarre characters, each with a secret of their own.
“I am thrilled to be coming back home to ABC. What makes it all the sweeter is Reba McEntire is coming with me,” Cherry said. “And we can’t wait to share with our fans this wonderful Southern Gothic soap opera we’ve been cooking up for them.”
Cherry will write the pilot; Sabrina Wind, Mindy Schultheis and Michael Hanel are non-writing exec producers.