As pilot season continues to pick up, we wanted to bring to your attention a couple of more women-written and women centric pilots that are getting some excellent talent attached to them.

Annie Potts has just signed on to star in Murder in Manhattan for ABC, which focuses on a mother and daughter who are amateur detectives. Written by Maria Maggenti, Potts will play Blythe Sutton, a Park Avenue widow whose interest in crimes stems from the murder of her husband, a crime that’s she’s trying to solve. Bridget Regan will be playing her daughter, Lex. The pilot will be directed by Cherie Nowlan. 

Debra Messing has found her plan B in case Smash isn’t renewed. (The writing is on the wall on that one, it’s just a matter of the announcement.) She’s set to star in an untitled comedy pilot for CBS about a mother–who is happily married and has a great career trying to balance it all but feeling like a bad mother when she takes the easy way out. The pilot will be written and executive produced by Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky (Sex and the City and Smash). Messing will also have a co-executive producer credit.

Annie Potts to Topline ABC Drama ‘Murder in Manhattan’ (The
Hollywood Reporter)

‘Smash’s’ Debra Messing to Star in CBS Comedy Pilot (The
Hollywood Reporter)