We first heard of ABC’s upcoming dramedy Scoundrels when news broke that Desperate Housewives alum Neal McDonough was replaced by David James Elliott when he refused to do sex scenes on the pilot.

Scoundrels is also slated to take a Sunday slot, premiering on June 20. The one-hour dramedy will revolve around middle-aged mother of four Cheryl West who also happens to be the matriarch of a small-time crime family.

When her husband Wolf (Elliott) bags a long prison sentence, Cheryl decides to make her family forget their life of crime and go the straight and narrow road.

Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Virginia Madsen will play Cheryl.

Meanwhile, following her stint this season on Grey’s Anatomy, Leven Rambin is onboard as daughter Vanessa. Other cast members include Patrick Flueger as twins Logan and Cal, Vanessa Marano as Hope and Carlos Bernard as Sergeant Mack.

Based on the New Zealand TV series Outrageous Fortune, Scoundrels is ABC’s second attempt at adapting the series; its first try Good Behavior failed to get a pick-up in 2008. Catherine O’Hara played the matriarch’s role then.

The original just wrapped up its fifth season, and in the process becomes New Zealand’s longest running drama.

(Image courtesy of ABC)

Glenn Diaz

Staff Writer, BuddyTV