USA has been trying to up its game over the last couple of years, and has landed the critically acclaimed series Mr. Robot and newbie drama Queen of the South for its efforts. Now, the network looks to be infusing a little more star power into its lineup, and has signed on former Seventh Heaven star Jessica Biel to make her mark in a brand new TV project. Biel will also be executive producing the potential drama.
Jessica Biel is set to star in and executive produce The Sinner, a crime thriller that The Wrap is noting is based on the book of the same name that was written by Petra Hammesfahr. USA has already ordered a pilot for The Sinner, although that doesn't guarantee that it will definitely be going to series.
The move is a big one for Jessica Biel, as the actress rose to fame on television and then turned to the big screen after Seventh Heaven ended its run. She had some early successes with major films like Summer Catch, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Illusionist. More recently, however, she's taken a bunch of roles in indie flicks and even guest starred in TV shows, including New Girl. Now might be the perfect time for the actress to make a transition back into television in more of a fulltime capacity.
The basic plot of The Sinner follows a young mother-turned-murderess. The book delves into the lead character Cora Bender's emotions and reasoning for the crime, and presumably that's where the series would go, as well. Reports indicate that an investigator character will also be cast who will strive to uncover why Cora Bender chose such a public and unexpected crime. We've seen Jessica Biel play a desperate mom in the horror thriller Tall Man, but this crime thriller sounds like a very different sort of gig for the actress.
Derek Simonds wrote the pilot. He will also executive produce alongside Antonio Campos and Jessica Biel. Campos will have the additional duty of directing the pilot.
Of course, Jessica Biel deciding she wants to return to television doesn't mean we'll ultimately see her on the small screen next season. USA will still need to greenlight The Sinner to series before this dream comes true. On the bright side, the fact that Biel is also executive producing the drama project means that she is pretty serious about getting into the TV game. Hopefully we'll see her succeed at it sooner rather than later.
While we wait to hear what projects will eventually come together for the 2017-2018 TV season, the current 2016-2017 TV season is just starting to get underway. You can find out when you favorite TV shows are returning with our fall TV premiere schedule.
