MGM+ orders 8-episode 'The American Heiress' with Julianna Margulies

MGM+ has ordered "The American Heiress," an eight-episode romantic comedy starring Julianna Margulies as a mother seeking a title for her daughter in 1893 England.

Margulies will play Isabella Cash, who takes her daughter Cora to England in pursuit of a title, and will also executive produce. British writer Daisy Goodwin, whose credits include the ITV/PBS Masterpiece series "Victoria," will adapt her 2011 novel and serve as showrunner and executive producer.

"The American Heiress is a story about mothers and daughters, old society obligation and new world entitlement, and the search for meaning in a world distorted by money," Goodwin said. "I hope it will make viewers laugh, think, and swoon."

Goodwin described herself as "a history nerd" and a fan of Hollywood's golden age, calling the show "Consuelo Vanderbilt meets Rebecca." Her novel has also been published under the title "My Last Duchess."

The comedy of manners takes place across America's Gilded Age and England's Victorian era. According to the official series description, Cora is a "dollar princess" whose mother brings her to England against her wishes while she believes she loves Teddy, an American artist.

A hunting accident changes her surroundings. After falling from her horse, Cora wakes at Lulworth Castle, home of the 12th Duke of Wareham.

The description says Isabella encounters her match in the Double Duchess, who goes through dukedoms like kid gloves. It also gives a rule for "naughty nineties" England, where visitors to the nursery should never comment on a likeness. Cora faces a choice between the Old World and the New.

Michael Wright, the global head of MGM+, described the series as "a seductive mix of captivating characters, old world class politics, and romantic ambition."

Margulies has earned 10 Emmy Awards nominations and won three for "ER" and "The Good Wife." Her recent credits include Apple TV's "The Morning Show" and Showtime's "Billions," and her next appearance will be in the Hulu series "Paradise."

The executive producers include Stacey Snider, FilmNation's chief creative officer. Damian Keogh and Stella Merz are executive producers too, as is Kirstie Macdonald, creative director of FilmNation TV.

Joanna Crow will serve as series producer, with Gemma Wright as co-producer. Catherine Morshead, Sandra Goldbacher and Edward Hall will direct.

Fifth Season will distribute the show worldwide. Its president of television, Peter Traugott, said it follows the company's MGM+ projects "American Classic" and "The Westies."

Deadline reported that MGM+ will premiere the series in the U.S., the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Latin America.

Deadline said FilmNation and Fifth Season are co-producing, while Variety named Fifth Season and MGM+ Studios as the co-producers. Deadline said production begins in the United Kingdom this month, while Variety said filming in the UK would begin in the coming weeks.