‘Sherlock Holmes’ Star Kelly Reilly Lands Lead on ABC Drama ‘The Black Box’

The British actress will play a neuroscientist with a secret mental illness of her own on the series premiering in 2014

ABC's new drama, "The Black Box," has found its lead actress. Kelly Reilly has been cast to play the titular role of Dr. Elizabeth Black on the limited series, TheWrap has learned.

The series follows Dr. Elizabeth Black, a world-renowned neuroscientist who's famous for her skills in working with patients at The Center for Neurological Research and Treatment AKA "The Cube." But, Elizabeth deals with her own mental illness that she keeps secret from those around her, including her family and fiancé.

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The British actress played Mary Watson in the "Sherlock Holmes" film franchise. She has also starred in "Triage," "Me and Orson Welles" and "Flight." Reilly also starred in the miniseries, "Above Suspicion," for UK's ITV.

In June, ABC gave "Black Box" a straight to series order for 13 episodes slated to air in 2014.

Amy Holden Jones ("Mystic Pizza," "Indecent Proposal") will write the pilot and executive produce with Anne Thomopoulos, Bryan Singer, Ilene Chaiken and Oly Obst. Simon Curtis ("My Week with Marilyn") will direct.

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Produced by Bold Films with Sierra Engine handling international distribution, "The Black Box" joins several new greenlit dramas from ABC for the 2013-2014 season, which include "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Betrayal" and "Lucky 7."

Reilly is represented by Troika and ICM Partners.

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