Sarah Michelle Gellar Reprising ‘Cruel Intentions’ Role for NBC Pilot

NBC’s Cruel Intentions reboot will feature one of its main original stars.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Kathryn Merteuil in the 1999 feature film, announced Wednesday that she is returning for the NBC pilot. Gellar will be a series regular should the pilot move forward.

“That’s right, ‘Everybody loves me, and I intend to keep it that way,’ #kathrynmerteuil is back!!! I am happy to say that I will be joining them (and @nbctv) on the new#Crueltv,” Gellar posted on Instagram, sharing an image of her with original producers Roger Kumble and Neal H. Moritz, who are both returning for the NBC incarnation. It’s unclear what level of commitment Gellar will have with the NBC show. 

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NBC’s Cruel Intentions picks up more than 15 years after the 1999 movie left off. The drama follows the beautiful and cunning Kathryn Merteuil (Gellar) as she vies for control of Valmont International as well as the soul of Bash Casey (Taylor John Smith), son of her brother, the late Sebastian Valmont, and Annette Hargrove. Upon discovering his late father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, power and corruption he never could have imagined. Sophinia Brown will co-star.

The pilot’s Kathryn is described as a master manipulator who easily hides her self-serving machinations behind a facade of charm, poise and warmth. The woman behind the scandal involving Bash’s mother, Annette Hargrove, Kathryn is now married to the wealthy Pascal Barrett and spearheads an inspiring youth rehabilitation movement, as well as being involved in a local private school. The stepsister of Sebastian Valmont, Kathryn is privately shaken by the arrival of Sebastian’s son, Bash, and the reappearance in her life of the girl she wronged years ago, Annette Hargrove Casey. A force of nature, Kathryn has many secrets in her life.

The small-screen sequel, which landed at NBC with a penalty attached in October, hails from Cruel Intentions writer-director Kumble and producer Moritz. They are joined by Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross, the duo behind the recent musical parody of the pic staged in Los Angeles. The pair’s send-up at L.A.’s Rockwell Table & Stage in May attracted the film’s four central stars, including Selma Blair, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe and Gellar. Kumble has remained in touch with Ross and Rosin after blessing the musical parody.

Kumble, Ross and Rosin will pen the script and executive produce the Sony Pictures Television project, with Kumble also attached to direct the pilot. The potential series hails from SPT-based Moritz and his Original Film banner. Moritz and Pavun Shetty also will exec produce. The movie, produced by SPT sibling Columbia Pictures, grossed $75 million on a $10.5 million budget.

For Gellar, the role marks her latest TV foray following her breakout role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her recent credits include CBS’ The Crazy Ones, The CW’s Ringer and a voice role on Star Wars Rebels. She is repped by ICM Partners, Brillstein Entertainment and Morris Yorn.

Keep up with all the latest pickups, castings and eventual series orders with THR‘s handy guide to pilot season.

 

#throwbackthursday (a bit early in Los Angeles) this picture was taken on the eve of production on the original #cruelintentions. Its me #rogerkumble (director) and #nealmoritz (exec producer) and the other is a picture of us now on the eve of production on the new #cruelintentions. That’s right “everybody loves me, and I intend to keep it that way” #kathrynmerteuil is back!!! I am happy to say that I will be joining them (and @nbctv ) on the new #Crueltv

A photo posted by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) on Feb 24, 2016 at 6:03pm PST