Jessica Biel is returning to the small screen. She’s set to topline “The Sinner,” an anthology series that USA Network just ordered to series, the LA Times reports. The thriller marks Biel’s first gig as a series regular since she played Mary Camden on the WB/CW’s ensemble family drama “7th Heaven.” Since then, she’s made a career on the big screen and turned up for guest spots on “BoJack Horseman,” “Family Guy,” and most notably, “New Girl.”
“Based on Petra Hammesfahr’s bestselling book of the same name, the first installment of the close-ended crime thriller follows a young mother, played by Biel, who is overcome with a fit of rage and commits an act of violence that she can’t explain,” the source details. Bill Pullman (“The Equalizer”) costars, playing an investigator trying to determine the motive for the crime.
In a statement announcing the series, USA Network President Chris McCumber revealed that the show’s “unique perspective intrigued [the network] from the very beginning.”
The pilot was penned by Derek Simonds (“When We Rise”) and directed by Antonio Campos (“Christine”).
In addition to starring in “The Sinner,” Biel will serve as one of its executive producers, as will her Ocean Films banner partner Michelle Purple.
Biel’s film credits include “A Kind of Murder,” “Hitchcock,” “Total Recall,” “Valentine’s Day,” and “The Illusionist.”
“There are always going to be the roles where you play the arm candy or girlfriend or wife; sometimes those are actually great parts, too, but I think it’s important to fight for the roles that really mean something to you, that say something,” Biel has said. “To tell stories that inspire you. You have to find those parts that are fewer and far between.” It sounds like “The Sinner” is going to offer Biel a solid, meaty — and meaningful — role.