Julianna Margulies to Lead MGM+ Period Romance 'The American Heiress'

MGM+ has ordered eight episodes of "The American Heiress," a period romantic comedy starring three-time Emmy winner Julianna Margulies, with production set to begin in the United Kingdom in the coming weeks, Variety has learned.

The series adapts Daisy Goodwin's novel of the same name, also published as "My Last Duchess." Goodwin, creator of the ITV/PBS drama "Victoria," will write the adaptation herself and serve as executive producer and showrunner.

What is the story about?

The official logline sets the action in 1893. Cora Cash, a beautiful and vivacious American "dollar princess," is brought reluctantly to England by her mother, the formidable Mrs. Cash — played by Margulies — in search of "the one thing she can't buy at home, a title." Cora believes she loves Teddy, an American artist, but a hunting accident leaves her waking up in Lulworth Castle, the seat of the 12th Duke of Wareham, and her certainties unravel.

The description promises a morally ambiguous portrait of "naughty nineties" England, where Cora's mother Isabella meets her match in the Double Duchess, "a woman who goes through dukedoms like kid gloves." Whether Cora chooses the Old World or the New forms the series' central question.

Who said what?

"'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. I am a history nerd, but I am also a fan of the Hollywood golden age — think Consuelo Vanderbilt meets 'Rebecca!' I am beyond excited to be working with Julianna Margulies who embodies the majesty and frustration of Isabella Cash."

Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, called the show "a seductive mix of captivating characters, old world class politics, and romantic ambition," and praised Goodwin as "a master at crafting entertaining and smart stories full of fascinating people and high stakes."

Fifth Season president of television Peter Traugott said: "We're thrilled to work with Daisy, Stacey, and the MGM+ team on this deeply compelling story of love warped by power, which we look forward to bringing to life for audiences around the world."

Who is making it?

The executive producer roster includes:

• Daisy Goodwin (showrunner)
• Stacy Snider, FilmNation Entertainment's chief creative officer
• Julianna Margulies
• Damian Keogh, Stella Merz and FilmNation TV creative director Kirstie Macdonald

Joanna Crow produces; Gemma Wright co-produces. Catherine Morshead, Sandra Goldbacher and Edward Hall direct. The series is a co-production between Fifth Season — which also handles global distribution — and MGM+ Studios.

What does this change for Margulies and MGM+?

For Margulies, it adds a marquee period role to a résumé built on contemporary drama. She has received 10 Emmy nominations, winning three for "ER" and "The Good Wife," plus 12 Golden Globe nominations, with one win for "The Good Wife." Recent credits include "The Morning Show," "Billions," the first season of "The Hot Zone," and an upcoming turn in Hulu's "Paradise." She is repped by CAA, Cognition, Wolf Kasteler Public Relations and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham.

For MGM+, the order extends a partnership with Fifth Season that Traugott tied to "the success of projects such as 'American Classic' and 'The Westies.'" No premiere date was announced; cameras roll in the UK in the coming weeks, which makes a 2026 debut the plausible, if unconfirmed, horizon.