The dramedy project, from Sex and the City executive producer Darren Star, follows a woman (Leslie Bibb) who moves back to her Dallas neighborhood after a divorce only to become the center of salacious gossip from the community’s churchgoing wives.
Nichols, whose previous TV credits include 24 and The Gates, will play the role of Heather in the ABC Studios project. She will be joined by previously cast Jennifer Aspen, Miriam Shor and Annie Potts. Christina Applegate, one of pilot season’s most in-demand actresses, passed on the lead role.
Robert Harling (The First Wives Club, Laws of Attraction) will serve as writer and executive producer, with Star and Aaron Kaplan (You, Me and Dupree, Knowing) on board to executive produce. Alan Poul (The Big C, Rome, Big Love) is locked to direct the pilot.
The Parents Television Council has already jumped on the ABC pilot, arguing the decision to pick it up is “not only an affront to women, it blatantly attacks the world’s largest faith.” The famously vocal group took issue with the title, which will undoubtedly change if the show does land on ABC’s fall schedule, as well: “The ‘b-word’ is toxic and is used to degrade, abuse, harass, bully and humiliate women. And the ‘Christian’ element only adds insult to injury.”
Nichols is repped by Paradigm and Impression Entertainment.
