Felicity Huffman has signed to a put pilot deal with ABC for her new show House of Moore, for which she will executive produce and possibly star. Deadline describes the drama as a “darkly comedic one-hour series set in the world of fashion.”
A put pilot is a deal wherein the network agrees to air the pilot as a special even if it doesn’t pick up the series, or pay hefty fines to the production company. It generally results in a pilot being signed to series. It’s a deal which encourages already-successful actors to continue creating work, while guaranteeing they’ll still get paid.
Huffman is the definition of a proven commodity. Like her husband, William H. Macy, she’s the kind of actress that chooses her projects carefully and we’re always happy when she shows up on screen. Currently starring in American Crime, she’s created memorable characters on shows like Desperate Housewives, for which she won the Golden Globe for lead actress in a comedy series, and films like Transamerica, for which she was an Oscar nominee and Golden Globe recipient.
House of Moore sounds like a risky proposition though and even a strong star can’t always save a bad show. Fashion does well in the realm of reality TV, but Ugly Betty is the one recent successful drama centered on the industry. Even sitcoms like Veronica’s Closet and Just Shoot Me have struggled along with mid-level audience interest.
Perhaps that’s because the fashion world is so hard for the average TV viewer to relate to. It’s a fun sideline for a show – Carrie Bradshaw’s shoes were only ancillary to her relationships – but who wants to be reminded how dull and unhip their job is when relaxing with a show after work. Moore may overcome that by focusing not just on the fashion industry in an office setting, but on a family behind a fashion line. The series may also explore the world of plus-size fashion.
Huffman is not signed to star yet though reports are that she’d like to if her current schedule allows. Daniel and Ben Barnz created the script and the former will direct. Huffman has previously worked with the duo on Cake and Phoebe in Wonderland.