NBC Orders J.J. Abrams Drama, Bill Lawrence Comedy to Pilot

J.J. Abrams

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J.J. Abrams

J.J. Abrams is having a great week.

A day after Disney tapped him to direct the latest Star Wars movie and mere minutes after Fox picked up a buddy cop drama from his Bad Robot shingle, the prolific writer-producer's NBC drama has been ordered to pilot.

Believe revolves around an unlikely relationship develops between a young girl with a gift and a man sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban's Alfonso Cuaron will pen the script alongside The Forgotten's Mark Friedman with Abrams and Brian Burk production the Warner Bros. Television entry via Bad Robot. The pilot order was expected as the drama had already begun exploring the casting process.

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In addition, the network has picked up comedy pilot from Cougar Town's Bill Lawrence and Adam Sztykiel (Due Date).

Undateable is a multicamera ensemble comedy centering on a group of friends dubbed the "Undateables" whose lives are altered when a more confident character enters their world.

Sztykiel will pen the pilot and executive produce alongside Lawrence and Jeff Ingold via Doozer Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

This marks Lawrence's second pilot order this season, joining Fox's untitled Justin Halpern/Patrick Schumacker comedy.

Lesley Goldberg