Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story: Hotel) and Jennifer Bartels (Friends of the People) have been cast opposite Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari in TV Land pilot American Woman, inspired by the life of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills‘ Kyle Richards.
Set in the 1970s, American Woman centers on Bonnie Nolan (Silverstone), a 40-year old woman with a beautiful home and two beautiful daughters. Finding herself alone after her marriage fails, Bonnie is an enigma of the times: a single woman with no means to support herself or her children.
Jackson will play Greg, the newest “boy toy” to Kathleen (Suvari), one of Bonnie’s closest friends. A charmer who works in casting at a major studio, Greg persuades Kathleen to invest a bundle in his new casting company — leaving her friends understandably leery.
Bartels will portray Diana, best friend to Bonnie (Silverstone) and a working professional 10 years into her career. Diana has had to endure harassment and inappropriate sexual comments from her sexist boss throughout her tenure, but she masks her misery through a positive resilient manner. When Bonnie splits from her husband, Diana confides just how challenging the real world can be for a woman, no matter how smart and capable she may be.
The pilot is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television for TV Land, and will be executive produced by Wells and John Riggi, who wrote the pilot script. Richards will co-executive produce.
Jackson played Will Drake, owner of Hotel Cortez in American Horror Story: Hotel and previously recurred as Danny Baker in 30 Rock. He’s repped by ICM Partners and the Schiff Co. Bartels starred in and executive produced TruTV’s sketch comedy series Friends of the People. She’s repped by UTA, 3 Arts and Morris Yorn.
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