Taylor Schilling Stars in NBC's Crime Drama Pilot "What The Dead Know"

Taylor Schilling has been cast as the lead in NBC's crime drama pilot "What The Dead Know," produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television. The series is based on the memoir by former New York City medical examiner Barbara Butcher, and it centers on Ava Ledger, a highly intelligent and hypervigilant death investigator who excels in dealing with deceased individuals but struggles with the living. The narrative follows Ava as she collaborates with the NYPD to tackle their most challenging cases.

Deadline Hollywood

The pilot is written and executive produced by Beth Rinehart, known for her work on "FBI: Most Wanted." Dick Wolf, a prominent figure in television production, serves as an executive producer alongside Tom Thayer, Peter Jankowski, and Anastasia Puglisi. Fred Berner is also involved as the director and executive producer. The project was officially picked up by NBC in January 2026, as part of the network's efforts to develop multiple drama pilots for the upcoming season.

The Wrap

Schilling is widely recognized for her role as Piper Chapman in Netflix's "Orange Is the New Black," a performance that earned her an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations. Beyond her acclaimed role in this series, she has appeared in various other productions, including "Dear Edward" on Apple TV, "Poker Face" on Peacock, and the Fox anthology series "Accused." Her film credits include "Family," "The Lucky One," and "Argo." Schilling is represented by Gersh, Untitled, and Goodman Genow.

Variety Magazine

The casting of Schilling for "What The Dead Know" is part of NBC's broader strategy to finalize its lineup of drama pilots for the 2026-27 television season. Other notable projects include a reboot of "The Rockford Files" starring David Boreanaz, a crime drama titled "Puzzled" featuring Damon Wayans Jr., and another crime drama based on the work of profiler Dr. Ann Burgess, starring Emily Deschanel. Additionally, Peter Krause, known for his role in "9-1-1," has been cast in a lead role for the ensemble drama "Protection."

The Wrap

NBC's decision to cast Schilling reflects its commitment to developing strong female leads in its programming. The network aims to provide diverse storytelling through its pilots, with "What The Dead Know" promising a unique perspective on crime investigation through the lens of a death investigator.

Variety Magazine

As NBC moves forward with its pilot season, "What The Dead Know" will undergo production and evaluation for potential series development. The network's focus on crime dramas suggests a continued interest in this genre, which has historically attracted significant viewership.

Variety Magazine

• “Death Investigator Ava Ledger (Schilling) is really good with dead bodies. It’s the living that give her trouble. ‘What the Dead Know’ follows Ava as she teams with the NYPD to solve their toughest cases.” — NBC's logline for "What The Dead Know."

Variety Magazine

• “who feels more at ease searching for cause-of-death than socializing with the living,” — Character description of Ava Ledger.

The Wrap