Pilot season is in full swing and The CW is continuing to green light possible options for the 2013-2014 television season. As of today there are eight pilots that are vying for a season order.
One of the unlikely few to make the cut is a Hunger Games-esque drama, The Selection. This show made it to pilot last season before the network turned it down. Although there were rumors that it remained in contention even after The CW announced its fall line-up, mid-season came and went with no update.
The studio has decided to redevelop the project along with original writers Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, who adapted the novel by Kiera Cass. CW president Mark Pedowitz announced that the network was happy with the changes the writing team has made with the new script, which is reportedly now more of a jump-off from the source material instead of the original concept of following along closely. We’ve seen this concept work for other series, like the long running CW hit Gossip Girl, so hopefully it’ll work here as well.
The latest actor to land a spot on this reboot is Lucien Laviscount (Skins), who will be playing one of the male leads named Aspen Leger. Leger is described by Deadline as “a handsome/brave young man from the servant class who is having a secret, illegal relationship with America.”
Co-starring in this pilot is another Hollywood newcomer, Yael Grobglas. Grobglas scored the female lead as America Singer after Aimee Teegarden (Friday Night Lights) was cast as the lead in another CW pilot, Oxygen, despite the original news that she would be reprising her role.
Besides the addition of Laviscount and Grobglas, Sean Patrick Thomas (Save The Last Dance) and Peta Sergeant are will both be returning for round 2. Thomas will once again be playing Sylvan Santos, close advisor to the queen and an expert in royal etiquette. Meanwhile, Sergeant will be reprising her original role as Gaia, a leader among the rebel forces trying to overthrow the monarchy.
Update: Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will be joining the cast as King Clarkson, replacing Martin Donovan from the original cast.
The Selection may very well make it to series this time around with Alex Graves at the helm. Graves is responsible for ABC’s 666 Park Ave, and Fox’s Fringe and Terra Nova – all of which were ordered to series.
Check out the synopsis for the show below:
Set 300 years in the future, an epic romance centering on a working class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince’s hand to become the nations next queen. Balancing her loyalty to family, true love, and kingdom, she must attempt to remain true to herself as she navigates the cutthroat competition and palace intrigue, all while a budding rebellion threatens to topple the crown. Based on the book by Kiera Cass.
Is this something you would be interested in seeing or does The Selection seem oh, so last season to you? Let us know in the comment section below!
