Sarah Michelle Gellar has joined the NBC pilot for “Cruel Intentions,” the TV adaptation of the 1999 film in which she starred.
The actress announced over Instagram: “#cruelintentions. That’s right “everybody loves me, and I intend to keep it that way” #kathrynmerteuil is back!!! I am happy to say that I will be joining them (and @nbctv ) on the new #Crueltv”
According to her post, Gellar will reprise her role as Kathryn Merteuil, which she originated in the movie.
The pilot picks up over 15 years after where the movie, an adaptation of French novel “Les Liaisons dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, left off. It follows Merteuil as she vies for control of Valmont International as well as the soul of Bash Casey, the son of her stepbrother, the late Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) and Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon).
Upon discovering his late father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, power and corruption he never could have imagined.
NBC bought the script in October with a commitment, plus a penalty from the film’s original director and writer Roger Kumble. He will also direct the pilot in addition to co-writing with Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross, best known for staging the musical version of “Cruel Intentions” in Los Angeles last summer.
The trio will also executive produce the series. Neal Moritz and Original Film’s Pavun Shetty will also executive produce through their deal with Sony Pictures Television.