"Housewives" creator developing new ABC series

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Five years after the launch of his "Desperate Housewives" helped turn around ABC's fortunes, Marc Cherry is developing a new series for the network targeted for next season.

Cherry is in discussions with ABC about the project, which he will write with "Desperate Housewives" executive producer Alexandra Cunningham.

In development circles, the project has been referred to as a "Desperate Housewives" spin-off, but while there was some discussion about spinning it from the hit comedy-drama, it will now be a stand-alone show.

The premise is being worked out, but the show is expected to have the tone of "Housewives." Cherry and Cunningham are expected to executive produce the project with another "Housewives" executive producer, Sabrina Wind.

There has been a lot of curiosity about what Cherry would develop as a follow-up to "Housewives" under his overall deal with ABC Studios, the show's producer. He spent the past five years on the hit series and has made it clear that he will stay involved until it ends. That is not expected to change if he gets another show on the air.

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)