'The Suite Life on Deck's' Zoey Deutch Cast in ABC's 'Hallelujah' (Exclusive)

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The Suite Life on Deck’s Zoey Deutch has joined the cast of ABC pilot Hallelujah.

The musical drama from Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry, centers on a stranger, who arrives in the small town of Hallelujah, Tenn., which is being torn apart by the forces of good and evil. He brings with him peace, justice and possibly faith for residents who desperately need the lift. In a Glee-like fashion, Hallelujah episodes will be punctuated by songs from a gospel choir, which serves as a Greek chorus of sorts.
 
Deutch, who played the part of Maya Bennett on the popular Disney channel spin-off, will step into the role of Willow Turner. She joins star Jesse L. Martin and Lost’s Terry O’Quinn, along with Cashmere Mafia’s Frances O'Connor, Terriers’ Donal Logue and The Vampire Diaries’ Arielle Kebbel.
 
Cherry will write and executive produce the pilot, with Sabrina Wind (Desperate Housewives, Reba) serving as an executive producer. Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, The Chronicles of Narnia) will direct.

The actress is repped by Innovative Artists and Gilbertson Entertainment.