Gilded Lilys

John Barrowman, best-known for playing the immortal Jack Harkness on Torchwood, has landed a leading role in ABC's Gilded Lilys pilot from Shonda Rhimes.

The project is an upstairs-downstairs look at the opening of the first true luxury hotel built in New York City circa 1895. Barrowman will play Julius Ashford Lily, the golden boy of the prestigious Lily family opening the hotel. He's mama's favorite son, who's very charming, lucky and loose.

As previously announced, Brian F. O'Byrne, Blythe Danner, Madeline Zima, Matt Lauria, Matt Long, Brigid Brannagh, Maury Sterling and Sarah Bolger will also star.

The pilot was written by KJ Steinberg (Gossip Girl, The Nine) with Rhimes and Betsy Beers (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice) executive-producing.