E! Orders Drama ‘The Arrangement’

E! has ordered the network’s second scripted series “The Arrangement,” a Cinderella story for modern times with a dark and complicated Hollywood twist. Produced by Universal Cable Productions, the 10 episode one-hour series stars Josh Henderson (“Dallas”), Christine Evangelista (“Chicago Fire”), Michael Vartan (“Alias”) and Lexa Doig (“Continuum”). The pilot was written by Jonathan Abrahams (“Mad Men”), who will serve as executive producer on the series. Jimmy Fox of Objective Productions USA, an All3Media company, along with Layla Smith and Gregory Lipstone of All3Media America, will also serve as executive producers. The pilot was directed by Ken Olin (“Alias,” “Sleepy Hollow”). E!’s first scripted series “The Royals” was recently picked up for a third season.

The logline: “The Arrangement” follows Megan Morrison (Evangelista), a beautiful young actress who auditions for the female lead in a summer blockbuster playing opposite Kyle West (Henderson), one of the world’s top action movie stars. Kyle’s mentor is Terrence Anderson (Vartan), who runs a self-help organization called the Institute of The Higher Mind with his wife Deann (Doig). After Megan’s amazing audition leads to an incredible first date (and more) with Kyle, her Cinderella story takes an unexpected turn when she is presented with a contract that would change her life forever… In a town where fame means everything, Megan must decide how far she’s willing to go to launch her career and whether or not she will accept “The Arrangement.”