Madeline Zima, Sarah Bolger, and Blythe Danner in Grey’s Anatomy Boss’ Gilded Lilys

In one fell swoop, Shonda Rhimes’ new ABC pilot, Gilded Lilys, found itself three actresses to bring their impressive talents to the small screen: Madeline Zima (Californication), Sarah Bolger (The Tudors), and Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents). If you threw all three of these lovely ladies into a blender, poured the subsequent mixture into a glass and drank the concoction, you probably immediately die from an overdose of amazing. Yes, that is one hundred percent medically accurate. I know because I watch Grey’s Anatomy (no I don’t).

TVLine reported the story, but couldn’t offer any clues as to who the three actresses would be playing. Gilded Lilys is a period drama, set in 1895. The pilot is a step off the beaten path for Rhimes, known best as the executive producer for Grey’s, itself a medical drama. It will tell an epic love story set during the opening of New York’s first ever luxury hotel. Word on the street is there will be classic drama elements, like rivalries, secrets, and other such clichés, despite the show taking place in the 19^th century. It just goes to show that no matter what time frame a series is set in, there will always be people getting in other people’s faces over trivial little things.

If it weren’t for the period nature of this pilot, I would have next to zero interest in its state of construction. I can usually do without the usual types of drama elements unless they’re paired up with some other element. Science fiction usually works well, but taking things back in time is just as good in my books.