The Complete Pilot Report: ABC Has Rebel Wilson, Bradley Whitford and S.H.I.E.L.D
The fall TV season is taking shape. Networks have ordered dozens of new pilots starring familiar faces like Lost's Josh Holloway, Andy Samberg, The Office's Ellie Kemper and Malin Akerman (Watchmen), and from proven producers like J.J. Abrams, Arrow's Greg Berlanti, David Shore (House) and Joss Whedon.
To keep track of who's doing what, read our complete list of all the series projects in contention — there are nearly 100! — and check back for updates on their status. Here are the ABC pilots: (Click here for CBS, CW, Fox and NBC.)
DRAMA
Betrayal
A beautiful, unhappily married female photographer begins a torrid affair with a lawyer for a powerful family. When he turns out to be defending a murder suspect who is being prosecuted by her husband, the relationship and the case begin a spiraling series of betrayals with cataclysmic results for everyone involved. ER's David Zabel will write and executive-produce.
Big Thunder
A brilliant, late-19th-century New York doctor and his family are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relocate to a frontier mining town run by a powerful, but mysterious tycoon. They quickly realize that not everything in Big Thunder is as it seems. Ice Age writer Jason Fuchs will write, while Fast Five scribe Chris Morgan will executive-produce.
Doubt
A former cop who's now a cunning, but charming low-rent lawyer uses his street smarts to work the system for his clients while battling his own demons and wooing his ex-wife in this drama from House creator David Shore.
Gothica
A sexy, modern gothic soap weaves together the mythologies of Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein and Dorian Gray, among others. The Sorcerer's Apprentice's Matt Lopez will write and executive-produce with Grey's Anatomy's Mark Gordon.
Influence
From Awake's creator Kyle Killen, the project is a provocative workplace ensemble about the complicated relationship between two brothers who head an agency that uses the real science of human motivation and manipulation to solve its clients' problems.
Killer Women
Molly Parker, the only woman in the Texas Rangers, is a ballsy, beautiful badass who knows how to get to the truth and isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way. Based on the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas. The Playboy Club's Hannah Shakespeare will write while Modern Family's Sofia Vergara and Casino Royale's Martin Campbell will executive-produce.
Lucky 7
The lives of seven employees of a service station in Queens are changed in many unexpected ways when they win a lottery jackpot. David Zabel (ER) and Jason Richman (Detroit 1-8-7) will write and executive-produce with Steven Spielberg, Smash's Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank.
Murder in Manhattan
A New York City-set dramedy about a mother-daughter sleuthing team. Monte Carlo's Maria Maggenti will write and executive-produce with Ryan Reynolds.
Reckless
When his wife is unjustly imprisoned during a political uprising overseas, a man pursues every legal option to secure her release. But when he's stymied by the U.S. government in the name of diplomacy, David is forced to consider less-than-legal options — entering a world of political intrigue, dangerous alliances and high emotional stakes to topple a brutal dictator and bring his wife home. Mad Men's Chris Black will write; Casino Royale's Martin Campbell will executive-produce.
The Returned
What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day's gone by? The lives of the people of Arcadia are forever changed when their deceased loved ones... return! Based on the novel by Jason Mott, the pilot is written by Criminal Minds' Aaron Zelman.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Based on Marvel Universe's fictional and secret law-enforcement agency. Avengers' Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen will write and executive-produce. Clark Gregg will reprise his Avengers role, joined by Ming-Na, Brett Dalton, Elizabeth Henstridge, Ian De Caestecker and Chloe Bennet.
Venice
This modern gloss on Romeo & Juliet pits the two rival families of California's most seductive city against each other. Without a Trace's Byron Balasco will write and executive-produce with McG. Jennifer Beals will star.
COMEDY
Bad Management
A self-centered manager (Sharon Horgan) at a high-end luxury goods department store finds her ways challenged when the boss' son comes to town and makes youth and sex the new company focus. Horgan and Holly Walsh will write, while The Neighbors' Aaron Kaplan will executive-produce.
Divorce: A Love Story
Kenny and Robin, a recently divorced couple, were terrible together, but they're even worse apart. They can't seem to stay out of each others' lives. Based on the Israeli format, Life Isn't Everything, the project will be written by original series creator Daniel Lappin and Rules of Engagement executive producer Mike Sikowitz.
Middle Age Rage
A middle-aged mother who is fed up with feeling invisible begins to speak up and demand the respect she feels she's earned. Malibu Country's Cheryl Holliday will write, while Smash's Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will executive-produce.
Mixology
Set in a sexy Manhattan bar, the high-concept comedy from the writers of The Hangover chronicles the exploits of singles in search of love all over the course of one night. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore will write and executive-produce. Kate Simses, Mercedes Masohn, Blake Lee and Andrew Santino will star.
Pulling
The story of three dysfunctional women in their 30s living their lives the way they want, even if society tells them they should have it all figured out by this point. Bad Teacher producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky will write and executive-produce with The Neighbors' Aaron Kaplan and Sharon Horgan.
Spy
A well-meaning father (Rob Corddry) inadvertently takes a job at the Secret Service in order to prove himself worthy to his highly intelligent son. Based on the British series from Simeon Goulden, who will write and executive-produce with Jimmy Mullville and Helen Williams.
Super Fun Night
Kimmie (Rebel Wilson) and her two best friends (Lauren Ash and Liza Lapira) worry that their Friday-night tradition (staying home in their pajamas) will be threatened when Kimmie gets a big promotion at her law firm and is invited to a party by the cute transfer from the London office (Kevin Bishop). It's time to take Super Fun Night on the road! Wilson will write and executive-produce with Conan O'Brien and Conan's Jeff Ross. Kelen Coleman will also star.
Trophy Wife
Reformed party girl Kate (Malin Akerman) finds herself with an instant family when she falls in love with a man, Brad (The West Wing's Bradley Whitford), who has three manipulative kids and two judgmental ex-wives (Marcia Gay Harden and Michaela Watkins). Private Practice's Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins will write and executive-produce with Bad Teacher producers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg. Natalie Morales, Albert Tsai, Gianna LePera and Ryan Lee will also star.
Untitled Andrea Abbate Project
Karey is the odd man out in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts, and narcissists. But when her brother is sent to prison, she decides to raise his kids along with her adopted African American son and give them the normal lives they deserve. Accidentally on Purpose scribe Andrea Abbate will write, while Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy, and Last Man Standing executive producers Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements will executive-produce.
Untitled Cullens Project
When Terry Gannon (Maggie Lawson), a divorced single mother, moves in with her estranged father (James Caan), a beer-swilling former baseball player, she reluctantly starts coaching her son's (Griffin Gluck) Little League team and is drawn back into the world of sports she vowed to leave behind. Las Vegas writers Mark and Robb Cullen will write, while The Neighbors' Aaron Kaplan will executive-produce. Ben Koldyke will also star.
Untitled Adam F. Goldberg Project
A multigenerational, dysfunctional Wonder Years set in simpler times, inspired by Adam F. Goldberg's own experience growing up in the '80s in a screwed-up but loving family, including Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jeff Garlin and Hayley Orrantia. Breaking In's Goldberg will write and executive-produce. Darien Provost will also star.
Untitled John Leguizamo Project
John Leguizamo stars as a husband and father who lives on New York City's Upper West Side but struggles to keep his privileged kids in touch with his Bronx roots. Leguizamo also created the project, while The Proposal producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will executive-produce.
Which pilots sound interesting to you?
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