Drama will get 'ER' slot in June

LOS ANGELES -- NBC is laying odds that viewers will want to watch a scripted drama this summer, scheduling its series "Windfall" for a June premiere.

The show, which follows the lives of 20 people who each win a share of a huge lottery jackpot, is scheduled to premiere Thursday, June 8. It will hold the 10 p.m. "ER" slot for the summer months.

"This is an engaging and dramatic series with an extremely talented cast," NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly says. "'Windfall' is an important component of our summer lineup and exemplifies our commitment to quality, year-round original programming."

The show will center on four of the 20 winners of the $386 million jackpot, and the fallout their newfound wealth creates. Peter (Luke Perry, "Beverly Hills, 90210") and Nina (Lana Parrilla, "Boomtown") Schaefer are married, but Nina still carries a torch for her college boyfriend and Peter's best friend, Cameron Walsh (fellow "Boomtown" alum Jason Gedrick). Sarah Wynter ("24") plays Cameron's wife, who's wary of Nina.

"Windfall" also stars D.J. Cotrona ("Skin"), Alice Greczyn ("The Dukes of Hazzard," "Quintuplets"), Jon Foster ("life as we know it") and Jaclyn DeSantis ("Road Trip," "Luis").

The show has taken a rather circuitous route to the airwaves. It was originally developed at FOX during the 2005 pilot season before making its way to NBC. There, it was considered for midseason before landing in its summer home.

Laurie McCarthy ("Felicity," "CSI: Miami") executive produces and co-created the show with fellow "Miami" alum Gwendolyn Parker.