Xena signs up for US Footballers' Wives

Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless is to play bitchy Tanya Turner in the upcoming US version of Footballers' Wives.

Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless is set to play bitchy Tanya Turner in the upcoming US version of Footballers' Wives.

The New Zealand actress takes on the role played by Zoe Lucker in the original UK series on ITV1.

Lesbian icon Lawless has most recently starred in sci fi series Battlestar Galacticaand appeared on the US singing contest Celebrity Duets.

Last week ABC signed Stomp the Yardstar Brian White and Night Stalkeractress Gabrielle Union to play Beckham-style couple Kyle and Chardonnay.

The Shed Production format is being renamed Football Wivesfor terrestrial network ABC and will focus on the world of gridiron, rather than soccer.

A pilot is being produced imminently. While ABC has not yet commissioned a series, executives have been positive about the project. It fits with other populist female-skewing fare on the Disney-owned network such as Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomyand Ugly Betty. If commissioned, it will likely launch this September.

Bryan Singer, the director of Superman Returnsand X-Men, is expected to direct the pilot episode of the US adaptation.

It is being made by Disney's Touchstone Television studio and produced by comedy writer Marco Pennette of Ugly Betty. Ann McManus and Maureen Chadwicke, who conceived Footballers' Wives, will co-executive produce the American version alongside Shed managing director Eileen Gallagher.

The UK version of Footballers' Wiveshas already found a small but loyal audience stateside by airing on cable network BBC America.