NBC orders 13 episodes of Eva Longoria's new series

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- NBC says it has ordered 13 episodes of Telenovela, a single-cam comedy starring and executive produced by Eva Longoria.

The show will capture "the hilarious behind-the-scenes craziness of a popular Spanish telenovela," the network said in a news release Friday. Longoria will play the "willful but popular diva Ana Maria," star of Latin America's most beloved soap opera.

"There are few actresses with as much international appeal as Eva Longoria," Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "She is a perfect fit for Telenovela. Her character will try to navigate the hysteria and hijinks that everyone must endure in putting together a daily show."

"We love our producing relationship with Eva, and we're so thrilled she wants to step back in front of the camera to show off her comedic side on this show. In a world where telenovelas are so popular on Spanish-speaking television as the Latino audience continues to grow everywhere, we think this show is very much of the moment," added Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment:

Longoria is best known for her role of Gabrielle Solis on the long-running ABC series Desperate Housewives. She recently had a guest arc on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.