Actress-producer signs deal with Universal Media Studios

Jennifer Lopez, whose production company recently sold a pilot to ABC, is now getting into business with NBC Universal.

Lopez's Nuyorican Productions has signed a two-year, first-look TV development deal with Universal Media Studios, NBC's sister studio and the network's primary supplier of scripted shows. The deal has NBC and UMS co-chairman Ben Silverman excited.

"Jennifer Lopez is a multi-faceted superstar and we are thrilled to be in business with her," Silverman says. "NBC has been fortunate to have worked with her previously with her music specials, and now this first-look deal gives us an opportunity to explore a variety of projects which will result in some outstanding television."

For her part, Lopez calls Universal "the perfect home for Nuyorican" and says she's looking forward to having success there.

Lopez and partner Simon Fields have produced a handful of shows under the Nuyorican banner, including the short-lived UPN drama "South Beach," the MTV series "Dancelife" and Univision's miniseries "Como Ana Una Mujer." The two are also executive producing the ABC pilot "Maid in Manhattan," based on the 2002 Lopez movie about a single mom who works as a maid in a posh Manhattan hotel.