Gellar is a big draw for "Ringer." The mystery series is not a traditional CBS show, but Nina Tassler is said to be engaged with it.
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The CW is likely to get into the pickup game with a surprise decision to order Ringer, a pilot from its corporate parent.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar could make her return to TV, just not on CBS as many had expected. Instead, the CW could order to series a drama about a woman on the run from the mob who hides out by inhabiting the life of her twin sister — until she learns that her twin’s life has a bounty on it as well. While no official deal has been made, the pickup seems very likely, one insider tells THR.
Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four) and Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected) co-star in the drama from ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios. Its production team includes still more CW vets, Supernatural writers Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder as well as Peter Traugott (Samantha Who?), Pam Veasey (CSI: NY) and Richard Shepard (Ugly Betty), who directed the pilot.
The decision would be a shrewd way to give the younger-skewing, serialized project a second life, as several sources had suggested that the Gellar vehicle was a strong show but the wrong fit for CBS. Meantime, the CW is looking to layer in slightly broader, franchise fare, a point new boss in Mark Pedowitz made to THR when he took the gig last month.
The CW is scheduled to unveil its complete slate to Madison Avenue buyers on Thursday in New York.
Email tips to Lacey.Rose@THR.com.