The pilot episode must have really impressed ABC since the network has just announced that it has ordered a new drama series inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich straight to series to debut in 2021. Though it is not actually about Brockovich, Rebel is inspired by the woman today. Written by Krista Vernoff and directed by Tara Nicole Weyr, Rebel stars Katey Sagal (who can pretty much do everything from playing the over-the-top mom in Married…with Children to Dan Connor’s boyfriend and a bunch of fascinating characters in-between). She plays Annie Bello, a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. The press release for the new show says that she’s a “funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.”

Sagal won’t have to do all of the heavy lifting. She joins a great cast of actors including Andy Garcia, John Corbett, James Lesure, Lex Scott Davis, Tamala Jones, Ariela Barer, Kevin Zegers and Sam Palladio.

“Erin Brockovich has never stopped the extraordinary work she does fighting for her clients like they’re family, and Krista Vernoff’s take on her life today in Rebel is undeniable,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “Katey Sagal is a powerhouse as Rebel and with Andy Garcia, John Corbett and the rest of the phenomenal cast, viewers are going to fall in love with these characters and the world Krista has created for them.”

“The work that Erin Brockovich does in this world is so powerful and so important that it almost defies description. Erin works tirelessly for social, legal and environmental justice despite the lack of a formal degree. She inspires everyone she meets to become their own heroes, and somehow, she also keeps us laughing. It has been a tremendous honor to get to know Erin and to create a show inspired by her,” said Vernoff. “I am thrilled to be working with a dream cast led by the extraordinary Katey Sagal with the incredible Tara Nicole Weyr directing.”

“Rebel is not just my story, it is all of our stories. There is a hero that exists in all of us, and I am so excited for Krista Vernoff and ABC to bring their visionary storytelling to this series,” said Erin Brockovich. “The name Rebel oozes self-empowerment, courage and rising above, even in the worst of circumstances. I cannot think of anyone better to play this role than the indomitable Katey Sagal, who is such a force, as well as the rest of this extraordinary cast.”