Nellie Andreeva

The CW today got on the pilot board with its first orders, a Selection redo and Taylor Hackford’s Company Town. They join The Originals, the planted Vampire Diaries spinoff, which will air as an episode of the hit drama in April.

The CW brass has been high on the concept for the Hunger Games-esque The Selection since the project was pitched in 2011. The network first ordered a pilot for the adaptation of the book by Kiera Cass last year. The project, written by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, didn’t make the cut to series, but the network kept it in redevelopment, ordering a new script from Craft and Fain. CW president Mark Pedowitz recently said that the network is quite happy with the duo’s new treatment, which is now getting a pilot green light.  Set 300 years in the future, The Selection is described as 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 nation’s 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.  Warner Bros. TV is producing.

Written by Sera Gamble and to be directed by Taylor Hackford, Company Town chronicles the aftermath of  a scandal at a Naval base in Virginia, which touches the lives of both civilians and military personnel in the area. The multigenerational, multi-class, family and relationship series centers around two early 20-something women who grew up together, were once best friends, but now are on opposite sides of the Townie/Military divide. Gamble and Hackford executive produce with Bill Haber for CBS TV Studios. For a full list of the broadcast networks’ pilots, click here.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.