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MGM+ has greenlit the series “The American Heiress” with Julianna Margulies set for a lead role, Variety has learned.
The series is based on the novel of the same name by Daisy Goodwin (“Victoria”), which is also published
under the title “My Last Duchess.”
“’The American Heiress’ is a story about mothers and daughters, old society obligation and new world entitlement, and the search for meaning in a world distorted by money,” Goodwin said. “I hope it will make viewers laugh, think, and swoon. I am a history nerd, but I am also a fan of the Hollywood golden age—think Consuelo Vanderbilt meets Rebecca! I am beyond excited to be working with Julianna Margulies who embodies the majesty and frustration of Isabella Cash.”
The official description of the series states:
“In 1893, beautiful and vivacious Cora Cash is a ‘dollar princess’ reluctantly brought to England by her mother the formidable Mrs. Cash (Margulies) in search of the ‘one thing she can’t buy at home, a title.’ Cora thinks she is in love with Teddy, an American artist, but when she falls off her horse in a hunting accident and wakes up in Lulworth Castle, the seat of the 12th Duke of Wareham, all her certainties are challenged. Cora wants above all to do the right thing, but in the morally ambiguous world of the ‘naughty nineties’ England where the first rule is never to comment on a likeness when visiting the nursery, she struggles to know what path to follow. Her mother Isabella meets her match in the Double Duchess, a woman who goes through dukedoms like kid gloves. Will Cora find a place in this world of intrigue where everyone knows the rules except her – will she choose the Old World or the New?”
MGM+ has commissioned eight episodes of “The American Heiress,” with the series set to go into production in the United Kingdom in the coming weeks.
Goodwin will adapt her book from the screen and serve as executive producer and showrunner. Stacy Snider, FilmNation Entertainment’s chief creative officer, will also executive produce. Margulies will executive produce in addition to starring, with Damian Keogh, Stella Merz, and FilmNation TV’s creative director Kirstie Macdonald also executive producing. Joanna Crow will produce and Gemma Wright will co-produce. The series will be directed by Catherine Morshead, Sandra Goldbacher, and Edward Hall. The series is a co-production between Fifth Season, which will also handle global distribution, and MGM+ Studios.
“’The American Heiress’ is a seductive mix of captivating characters, old world class politics, and romantic ambition,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “Daisy Goodwin is a master at crafting entertaining and smart stories full of fascinating people and high stakes, and this show is Daisy at her best. Having Julianna Margulies lead this amazing cast with her unique strength, intelligence and charm is ideal. Together with producer Stacey Snider, this team makes ‘The American Heiress’ a perfect complement to the MGM+ brand of classic Hollywood storytelling for a modern audience.”
Margulies is one of the most critically-acclaimed television actresses working today. She has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards throughout her career, of which she has won three for her time on “ER” and “The Good Wife.” She has also been nominated for 12 Golden Globe Awards, winning the award for best actress in a drama series for “The Good Wife.” Recently, she appeared on Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” the popular Showtime series “Billions,” starred in the first season of the Nat Geo series “The Hot Zone,” and will next appear in the hit Hulu series “Paradise.”
She is repped by CAA, Cognition, Wolf Kasteler Public Relations and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham.
“We’re thrilled to work with Daisy, Stacey, and the MGM+ team on this deeply compelling story of love warped by power, which we look forward to bringing to life for audiences around the world,” said Fifth season president of television Peter Traugott. “Following the success of projects such as ‘American Classic’ and ‘The Westies,’ ‘The American Heiress’ marks an exciting milestone in the continued growth of our partnership with MGM+.”
