Shonda Rhimes has another surprise up her sleeves. A new show is coming to Shondaland after ABC order the pilot episode to Rhimes' new legal drama.
Deadline reported that the legal drama is written by "Scandal" writer Paul William Davies. The story will be set in New York and will focus on the events that transpire in the Southern District of New York Federal Court, otherwise known as the "Mother Court." The story brings to the fore "bright-eyed new lawyers" on opposing ends as they handle some of the country's most high profile cases.
The still-untitled drama series will be executive produced by Rhimes together with Betsy Beers. If the pilot gets the full season order, this will be Rhimes' sixth drama series in ABC. "I will take as many things as Shonda will give me," ABC entertainment president Channing Dungey tells Variety. Aside from the legal drama, a Shondaland comedy is also in development at ABC.
Meanwhile, Shondaland already has one confirmed show on ABC. Titled "Still Star-Crossed," the series is based on the books written by Melinda Taub and shows the aftermath of Rome and Juliet's love story. The series is a period drama about "treachery, palace intrigue and ill-fated romances of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the young lovers' tragic fate."
The "Still Star-Crossed" cast has some familiar faces, including "Reign" actor Torrance Coombs. Also starring are Wade Briggs, Zuleikha Robinson, Lashana Lynch, Ebonee Noel, Anthony Head, Sterling Sulieman, and more.
The drama, which was heavily hyped up last year, was expected to premiere in 2017 on ABC. Unfortunately, "Still Star-Crossed" was not included in ABC'ss 2017 midseason premiere schedule.
Dungey explained, "It has taken us a little longer than we thought it would've taken us. I've seen the first three episodes, and the fourth one is coming my way soon."
"It has all of the great hallmarks of a Shondaland project, but it also is very epic in terms of its scope and scale, and we did not want to rush it into a place where we felt like it wasn't ready."