Nellie Andreeva

Sarah Michelle Gellar is returning to broadcast series TV with a pilot at CBS. In its first drama pilot pickup this season, CBS has greenlighted Ringer, which is toplined by the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star. The project hails from ABC Studios, CBS TV Studios and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. UPDATE: The pickup of Ringer was followed by another drama pilot order by CBS to an untitled supernatural medical drama from writer Susannah Grant.

Ringer, written on spec by Supernatural writer-producers Eric Charmelo & Nicole Snyder, centers on a troubled young woman (Gellar) who, while on the run from the mob, hides out by inhabiting the life of her wealthy twin sister, until she learns that her twin’s life has a bounty on it as well. Brillstein’s Peter Traugott is executive producing, with Gellar, Charmelo and Snyder co-executive producing. Geller, repped by ICM and Brillstein’s Joanne Colonna, has been heavily pursued by the broadcast networks since the end of Buffy in 2003. Her only TV gig since then had been the HBO pilot The Wonderful Maladys. Charmelo and Snyder, who are story editors on Supernatural, are with UTA and the Shuman Co.

The untitled Susannah Grant project, from CBS TV Studios and studio-based Timberman/Beverly Prods., centers on an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the here-after. Grant is executive producing with Timberman and Beverly who are in their first development season at their new studio home, CBS Studios.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.

Get the latest Industry news sent straight to your Wall.