Katey Sagal may get to keep her TV hot streak going with a promising new series. The actress has signed on to team up with Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff for a new show inspired by a familiar person: Erin Brockovich. Vernoff will trade in the drama of the medical world for some of the legal variety with Sagal along for the ride.
Katey Sagal found a new ABC TV show in Krista Vernoff's Rebel, per Deadline. The show is inspired by the present-day life of activist Erin Brockovich. Pop culture enthusiasts will remember that Julia Roberts played Brockovich in the self-titled 2000 film about her life. Unlike Roberts, Sagal will be playing a dramatized version of Brockovich.
In the new show, which Grey’s Anatomy’s showrunner will write, Katey Sagal will play Annie “Rebel” Bello. She is described as a “blue-collar legal advocate” minus the law degree. Rebel fights hard to win. She is said to be “funny, messy, brilliant, and fearless.” The Erin Brockovich will executive produce the series with Krista Vernoff.
Rebel has not been picked up to series yet. A pilot order has reportedly hinged on the series finding its lead. Consider that job done! Now the show’s future lies in wait. Katey Sagal has not been a stranger to ABC in recent years. During The Conners’ first season, she made her debut as Louise Goldufski, a potential love interest for Dan.
The ABC comedy liked her so much that they wanted to have her back even more in Season 2. Hence, Katey Sagal made her return to The Conners, which subsequently dealt with a critical issue. So, what (if anything) does Sagal landing the Rebel pilot mean for the romance between Sagal’s Louise and John Goodman’s Dan? Time will tell.
Katey Sagal has remained busy since her time on the FX drama, Sons of Anarchy, came to an end in 2014. She guest-starred as Penny’s mom on The Big Bang Theory in 2016. Sagal also had a role in ABC’s short-lived series Grand Hotel last year. The Alphabet Network was clearly paying attention.
Katey Sagal reportedly had her pick of ABC’s scripts, and she chose Rebel, which speaks highly of the project. Now fans of the actress will just have to sit tight and see if ABC ends up ordering Rebel to series. It is a long way between a pilot and a series order. John Davis, John Fox, and Alexandre Schmitt will executive produce the series with Mike Stein on-board as a co-producer.
Katey Sagal seems like a great fit to take on the eponymous role in Rebel, in my opinion. Sagal has significant comedy and drama skills, both of which should come in handy when portraying the non-lawyer legal advocate. Plus, Sagal knows how to play a fighter. Based on all of that, she should be able to bring Rebel to life in an extraordinary way.
As for Krista Vernoff, Grey’s Anatomy will continue taking on new twists and turns as its current season continues. The long-running medical drama is still dealing with the shocking departure of original cast member Justin Chambers (Alex Karev).
Speaking of Grey’s Anatomy, it would be neat if Katey Sagal guest-starred on the show. Sagal and Krista Vernoff’s team-up on Rebel will have to do for now. Maybe if things do not work out with Rebel, Sagal can add Grey's to her impressive list of guest roles.
Rebel has yet to receive a series order, so a premiere date is not even pending at this point. As you await word on if Katey Sagal’s show gets picked up, you can catch up on this winter and spring’s premieres.
