Viola Davis to Lead New Shonda Rhimes Drama

Viola Davis is on her way to the small screen.

The multiple-time Oscar nominee has signed on for How To Get Away with Murder, an ABC pilot from Shonda Rhimes that will feature Davis as a brilliant and charming criminal defense professor named Annalise Dewitt.

The mysterious character will become entangled in a homicide invitation that rocks the university and changes the live of her students forever.

Grey's Anatomy producer Peter Nowalk will write and executive-produce along with Rhimes and Betsy Beers.

Matt McGorry, Aja Naomi King, Jack Falahee, Alfred Enoch, Charlie Weber and Karla Souza will also star on the intriguing new series.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.