MGM+ Greenlights Gilded Age-Era Series ‘The American Heiress’ Starring Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies, the Emmy-winning star of Paradise, is set to lead a new MGM+ drama inspired by a novel from Daisy Goodwin, the British author and screenwriter known for creating the ITV/PBS Masterpiece series Victoria.

The network is developing Goodwin’s 2011 novel The American Heiress as an eight-episode romantic comedy of manners. Spanning America’s Gilded Age and England’s Victorian period, the series is being produced by Fifth Season and MGM+ Studios.

Margulies will play Isabella Cash, a mother who travels to England with her daughter, Cora, in 1893 in pursuit of the “one thing she can’t buy at home” — a title.

Cora believes she is in love with Teddy, an American artist. But after a hunting accident leaves her falling from her horse, she regains consciousness at Lulworth Castle, home of the 12th Duke of Wareham. The experience unsettles her assumptions. Although Cora is determined to make the right choices, the morally complicated atmosphere of England’s “naughty nineties” makes it difficult for her to decide what that means.

“The American Heiress is a seductive mix of captivating characters, old world class politics, and romantic ambition,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “Daisy Goodwin is a master at crafting entertaining and smart stories full of fascinating people and high stakes, and this show is Daisy at her best. Having Julianna Margulies lead this amazing cast with her unique strength, intelligence and charm is ideal.”

Goodwin added: “The American Heiress is a story about mothers and daughters, old society obligation and new world entitlement, and the search for meaning in a world distorted by money. I hope it will make viewers laugh, think, and swoon.”

Goodwin will executive produce the series with Stacey Snider, FilmNation’s chief creative officer. Margulies, Damian Keogh, Stella Merz, and Kirstie Macdonald, creative director of FilmNation TV, are also executive producers. Joanna Crow is producing the series, with Gemma Wright serving as co-producer.

Directing duties will be shared by Catherine Morshead, Sandra Goldbacher, and Edward Hall.

The American Heiress is scheduled to debut on MGM+ in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Latin America. Fifth Season will oversee worldwide distribution. Filming is due to begin in the UK this month.

Margulies is represented by CAA, Cognition, Wolf Kasteler Public Relations, and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham.

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