By Joe Otterson
Sunny Hostin is developing a drama series inspired by her life and career at Fox, Variety has learned.
Titled “The Counsel,” the series follows four thirtysomething women of color who are leaders in their respective fields of journalism, law, politics and public relations. They must rely on their lifelong friendship to overcome a scandal that threatens to unravel everything they’ve achieved.
The project has received a script order with a penalty attached. Erica Shelton will write and executive produce, with Hostin also executive producing. Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Jordan Sheehan, and Clayton Krueger of Scott Free Productions will also executive produce. Universal Television will produce in association with Fox Entertainment. Shelton is currently under an overall deal at UTV.
According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Regina Jansen on Hostin’s team played a key role in getting the project developed.
Hostin has been a co-host on “The View” since 2016. She was previously a host and legal analyst for CNN and was a fill-in co-anchor for ABC News’ “World News Now” and “America This Morning.” She recently hosted and executive produced the docuseries “Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin.” She began her career as an appellate law clerk and went on to become a trial attorney for the Justice Department and a federal prosecutor.
Shelton was previously the showrunner on “Being Mary Jane” at BET during the show’s final two seasons. Her other credits include “The Good Wife,” “FBI,” “Covert Affairs,” and “Cold Case.”
She is repped by Industry Entertainment.
See this story at Variety.com.