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Sarah Wayne Callies is going from fighting zombies to aliens.
The former Walking Dead leading lady — who has received multiple TV offers in the two years since she ended her run on the AMC drama — has landed the starring role in USA Network‘s Carlton Cuse alien drama pilot Colony, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Colony, created and exec produced by Cuse and Hercules‘ Ryan Condal, is a naturalistic drama about a family forced to make difficult choices as they balance staying together with surviving an existential threat to the human race. Set in the near future, the story takes place in L.A., which is occupied by a force of outside intruders. Some residents collaborate with the authorities and benefit from the new order, while others rebel and suffer the consequences.
See more ‘The Walking Dead’s’ Most Shocking Deaths
Callies, who starred as Rick Grimes’ (Andrew Lincoln) wife, Lori, on AMC’s zombie drama, will play Katie Bowman, a mother of three who struggles daily to keep her family safe and united in an occupied Los Angeles. Matters are further complicated when her husband, Will (Lost’s Josh Holloway), is forced to collaborate with the colonial government.
Callies’ Lori was killed off during season three of The Walking Dead when her character died after an emergency C-section, having to be dramatically “put down” by her teenage son to prevent her transformation into a walker. Colony marks her first TV role since Walking Dead.
The actress’ credits also include Prison Break and features Pay the Ghost, The Other Side of the Door and Into the Storm. She’s repped by More/Medavoy and Sloane Weber.
Colony hails from Universal Cable Productions and Legendary Television. It’s Cuse’s fifth project overall, joining Amazon pilot Point of Honor and three series: A&E’s Bates Motel and The Returned reboot as well as FX’s adaptation of The Strain.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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