E! is looking to add some prestige to its budding scripted line-up by ordering a pilot for The Arrangement, a new series from Mad Men producer/writer Jonathan Abrams.
The series is described as a “Cinderella story for modern times” and set in Hollywood. Megan Morrison is a young actress hoping to get a lead role in a big movie that already stars Kyle West, a popular star. After her audition, they go on a date and she has to sign a contract making her relationship with Kyle “official.” Will she sign? We will have to watch to find out (if this airs).
The Arrangement will be executive produced by Objective Productions USA’s Jimmy Fox and All3Media America’s Stephen Lambert and Eli Holzman. Universal Cable Productions is producing.
“Jonathan has written a terrific script that juxtaposes a very public Hollywood romance with darker, more nefarious elements. We are excited to work with Universal Cable Productions and Objective to make this pilot and bring the story to life,” Kevin Plunkett, SVP Scripted Programming, E!, said in a statement. “The Arrangement is the perfect follow-up to the success of The Royals, taking the E! brand further into the scripted space with young skewing, escapist stories.”
Should The Arrangement make it to air, it will only be E!’s second scripted series to make it all the way. The Royals was the first and it is currently in its first season. E! has already renewed it for a second season.
In 2013, E! announced other scripted shows that were in development, but it’s not clear if any of those are still being considered for the network.