Sarah Drew to lead a small-town "nation" in CBS' The Republic of Sarah pilot

Deadline

The Grey's Anatomy alum will play the title role in the Northern Exposure-esque drama pilot The Republic of Sarah, about a small New Hampshire town that declares itself an independent nation after the discovery of a valuable resource within its borders. Drew will play the town's mayor, Sarah Cooper, who suddenly finds herself running a brand-new country with a cabinet of inexperienced locals. Drew is no stranger to small-towns TV shows, having starred on The WB's Everwood. According to Deadline, "Drew’s Sarah Cooper is described as the titular beating heart of The Republic of Sarah. She’s a quintessential New Englander: sharply intelligent, fiercely loyal, and always willing to lend a hand. She’s hesitant to step into the spotlight at first, but her quiet strength and innate leadership begin to flourish after external forces threaten her community and her way of life." The casting reunites Drew with CBS after co-starring in last year's failed Cagney & Lacey reboot pilot.