Debby Ryan pilot Insatiable finds new life at Netflix

Remember Insatiable? The Debby Ryan pilot was one of the most intriguing pilots that came from The CW, but it found itself in the middle of a logjam. In turned out that the network was very pleased with most of the shows, new and old, that it had; as a result of this, it was cast aside … for the time being, anyway.

Now, it just so happens that the show is finding a new home, and it’s at a place that could give it even more of a platform: Netflix. According to Deadline, the CBS TV Studios / Ryan Seacrest Productions series is being given new life at the streaming service much in the way that another failed network pilot in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was. This one, per that report, may actually be far more well-suited for a premium environment than a major network just because of the super-dark nature of the story and the fun that Lauren Gussis of Dexter fame could have with it. (Fun fact: Gussis is no stranger to development, having worked for some time on an HBO series Open with Ryan Murphy that never got a green light.)

The logline below gives you a sense of some of what this story could be about:

“A disgraced, dissatisfied civil lawyer-turned-beauty pageant coach takes on a vengeful, bullied teenager as his client and has no idea what he’s about to unleash upon the world.”

The former Jessie star Ryan is set to be the “bullied teenager” at the center of the show, and in terms of the story and its potential, this sounds like it could be truly awesome. There are a number of things that will still need to be worked out creatively, especially given that this is a show still in its gestation period and it’s not a full-fledged series premise just yet. Still, this is a great sign that Netflix has its finger on the pulse for worthy projects that they can bring over. They are one of the reasons why canceled shows often have hope, and it’s remarkable some of what they are able to do with them.

Part of the intrigue here is that it’s wrong to say that CW made a mistake in the event that Insatiable ends up becoming a hit, if for no other reason than that it wouldn’t have been the same show on The CW. That potential for darkness wouldn’t be there.

Intrigued by the idea of Insatiable? Be sure to share now in the attached comments! (Photo: Netflix.)