The series, created by Breaking Bad writer and executive producer Moira Walley-Beckett, has a green light from Starz.

Starz has picked up its next original series titled Flesh and Bone.  The upcoming series has cast its lead, the experienced ballerina, Sarah Hay. According to Deadline, the green light comes after a nationwide search involving thousands of hopeful actresses and dancers, resulting in the casting of dancer Sarah Hay (Black Swan) as the lead role.

Hay will play the role of Claire, who is described by Starz as “A beautiful, soulful and deeply emotionally wounded young woman who possesses an innate innocence and fragility while at the same time harboring self-destructive tendencies and a vaulting ambition. She is a transcendent ballerina, capable of reaching the sublime, but her inner torment and aspirations drive her in compelling, unforeseeable ways,” as noted by The Wrap.

Claire has a troubled past when she joins a prestigious ballet company in New York. The dark series will show the dysfunction and glamour of the ballet world. Christ Albrecht, the CEO of Starz said that, “From the beginning, we all agreed this project could not go forward unless we found a world class dancer who had the ability to convey the widest range of emotions that Moira has written.” He also added, “This is one of the most challenging and dynamic characters I have even seen and am thrilled to say we found our Claire in Ms. Hay.” “Sarah Hay embodies the role of Claire just as I dreamt her,” said Moira Walley-Beckett.

Sarah Hay started at the School of American Ballet at eight years old. She has danced the title role in Cinderella, Swanilda in Balanchine’s Coppelia,  Marie in Aaron Watkin’s Nutcracker,  and principal dancer in Balanchine’s Emeralds,  among many others. She also danced as a member of the Corps De Ballet in Black Swan and she is among the list of Capezio Athletes.

Moira Walley-Beckett will write and executive produce the series with Starz. Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds), Kevin Brown (Roswell) and John Melfi (Sex and the City) will also exec. produce the show.