DEXTER's Bethany Joy Lenz to Lead E!'s SONGBYRD Pilot

DEXTER may have just wrapped its eight-season run on Showtime last night, but Bethany Joy Lenz has lined up her next gig.

According to Deadline, Lenz has been tapped by E! to lead its upcoming scripted drama pilot SONGBYRD. The project comes from PRIVATE PRACTICE's Krista Vernoff and Diane Warren. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will executive produce.

SONGBYRD "centers on Lauren Byrd (Lenz), a character loosely inspired by hitmaker Warren. Lauren, writer of hit love songs, employs a small staff, including her sister, to enable and manage her eccentric yet wildly successful process. But when her ex-fiance reveals himself to be less than the man she remembers, she realizes that she can no longer live in the past and must find a new, true inspiration for her sake and those around her."

In its first foray into scripted territory, E! has also picked up THE ROYALS, which follows a fictional royal family, led by Elizabeth Hurley. THE ROYALS comes from Lionsgate TV, Schwahn, Brian Robbins, and Joe Davola. Schwan will take on the writing duties.

Lenz may be best known for her role on DEXTER, but has also appearead on ONE TREE HILL, GUIDING LIGHT, and MEN AT WORK.

Photo by: BEImages/Matt Baron