It was clearly a tough decision for the network because the series, inspired by the life of activist Erin Brockovich, comes from ABC’s most valuable drama showrunner, Krista Vernoff, who is shepherding the network’s top two scripted series, Grey’s Anatomy and spinoff Station 19. Rebel, Vernoff’s first series as a creator, has underperformed in the ratings despite having ABC’s highest-rated series, Grey’s Anatomy, as a lead-in.
The network is picking up the cast options for the five projects that it has committed to producing this year through to Sept. 30. They are dramas Rebel, starring Katey Sagal and Andy Garcia and Delroy Lindo’s Harlem’s Kitchen, as well as comedies Bossy, which was formerly known as Kids Matter Now, Topher Grace’s Home Economics and Work Wife. Rolled over into next year’s development season are Adopted, National Parks Service, which was formerly known as ISB and Triage.
