Jessica Biel to Star in USA Network Crime Thriller ‘The Sinner’

Jessica Biel will star in “The Sinner,” a crime thriller that has been picked up to pilot by USA Network, Variety has learned.

Biel is also attached as an executive producer on the potential series, which hails from Universal Cable Productions.

“The Sinner” is an hourlong drama that follows a young mother who is overcome by an inexplicable fit of rage and commits a startling and very public act of violence — and to her horror has no idea why. The event launches a crime thriller whose driving force is not the who or the what, but the why. A rogue investigator finds himself obsessed with uncovering the woman’s buried motive, and together they travel a harrowing journey into the depths of her psyche and the violent secrets hidden in her past.

Based on Petra Hammesfahr’s book of the same name, the pilot was written and created by Derek Simonds, whose only credit is “The Astronauts Wives Club,” marking his first series. Antonio Campos will direct the pilot. Biel will exec produce alongside her partner Michelle Purple from their Iron Ocean Films shingle, plus Simonds and Campos, who will also serve as EPs.

“The Sinner” marks Biels return to TV as a series regular, following “7th Heaven,” the show that launched her career. After departing the long-running family drama in 2006, Biel’s film career took off with starring roles in “The Illusionist,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve.” She recently had a guest spot on “New Girl” and a voice role “BoJack Horseman.” Coming up, Biel’s upcoming film projects include “Invisible,” opposite Clive Owen, plus Rob Reiner’s Iraq war drama “Shock and Awe.” She recently hosted a star-studded Hillary Clinton fundraiser at her home with her husband, Justin Timberlake.

For USA, “The Sinner” marks the third pilot ordered from the cabler’s 2016-17 development slate. Other pilots include “Damnation” and “The Tap,” which are also produced by Universal Cable Prods.