Khouri
"Thelma and Louise" scribe Callie Khouri has signed on to write a legal-themed comedy/drama for Fox.
"The Real Amanda Strauss" centers on a woman in the district attorney’s office who harbors a big secret: She hails from a family of con artists.
Sony Pictures TV is behind the project, along with the shingle Furst Films ("The Cooler").
Khouri is co-writing "The Real Amanda Strauss" with Angelina Burnett ("The Cleaner"). Furst Films partners Sean and Bryan Furst will exec produce with Khouri and Burnett.
Khouri may also direct the hourlong should it advance to the pilot stage.
"I’m enjoying our creative partnership," Khouri said of working in TV with the Fursts. "(And) Angelina Burnett is a young writer with enormous talent."
Burnett returned the compliment, calling Khouri "a heroine of mine."
Khouri has spent most of her career in the feature world, although she did partner with Steven Bochco for the 2006 ABC pilot "Hollis and Rae."
Furst Films is also behind the Sony Pictures TV project "Rich Sons of Mitch’s" (formerly titled "Slacker Sons"), which received a premium script order from NBC earlier this fall.
Mike Sikowitz and Anthony and Joe Russo are attached to "Mitch’s."
Furst Films is a producer on "Tough Trade," the pilot from Jenji Kohan and Lionsgate set up at new cabler Epix.
The Fursts, best known for films such as "The Matador," are also behind the vampire thriller "Daybreakers," starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. Lionsgate releases the movie next month.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com