ABC to Develop New Shonda Rhimes Pilot

Shonda Rhimes has mastered the drama of hospital hallways and doctors' after-hours action. Now, she's setting her sights on the juicy lives of Washington, D.C., journalists.

ABC has given the green light to Inside the Box, a new pilot from the Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice creator. No word on whether this is merely a blooper reel from Grey's myriad, bungled forays into girl-on-girl action in the current fifth season.

The potential series centers on an ambitious female news producer and her colleagues whose extracurricular activities "will be more exciting than the stories they cover."

A rep for the network, which may or may not be changing its name to the Shonda Broadcasting Company in the near future, confirmed the story to TV Guide.

Rhimes first developed the concept for Inside the Box in 2006 - the show was originally supposed to star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who had just been killed off Grey's Anatomy at the time (only to return, and stick around, 2-3 years later) - but put it aside to focus on Private Practice.

Inside the Box is among three that ABC has greenlit.

It joins fellow female-centric drama I, Claudia, about a female prosecutor who doesn't know that she'll one day be considered for President of the United States, and Brothers & Detectives, an adaptation of an Argentine series from Dexter honcho Daniel Cerone.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.