Nellie Andreeva

UPDATED: I have learned that NBC is considering a pilot order to a comedy project produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Prods and actress Anne Heche. I hear the pickup, which will likely be off-cycle, may be hinging on the single-camera comedy landing former Private Practice star Kate Walsh for the lead. Written by Chad Kultgen (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone), Bad Judge is based on an idea brought to Gary Sanchez by Heche. It centers on a hard-living, sexually unapologetic woman — the role Walsh is being courted for — who plays with the law, and whose life on the edge is constantly in balance as she also happens to be a judge in the Criminal Court system. Universal TV, where Gary Sanchez has a deal, is producing. Heche and Jill Messick executive produce alongside Ferrell and McKay.

Following the end of Private Practice in January after six seasons, Walsh has been pursued for pilots, mostly on the comedy side. She has a relationship with McKay and Ferrell having done several videos for their comedy site Funny Or Die. Bad Judge would mark Gary Sanchez’s second comedy pilot at NBC, joining hot prospect Assistance, which landed Krysten Ritter for the lead. Heche stars in NBC’s comedy series Save Me, which is yet to get a slot on the schedule. Wlash is with CAA and Evolution; Gary Sanchez with CAA and WME; Kultgen is with CAA; Heche with Untitled and UTA.

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