Eva Longoria Signs First-Look Deal with Universal Television

She may have moved off of Wisteria Lane, but Eva Longoria is staying close to her TV roots. The actress has signed a first-look development deal with Universal Television.

Longoria, who played Gaby Solis on Desperate Housewives for eight years, is an executive producer on the upcoming NBC matchmaking show Ready for Love, which follows three successful and attractive bachelors trying to find their soul mates . The reality series, hosted by Giuliana and Bill Rancic, is set to debut sometime this winter on NBC.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic team up with Eva Longoria for reality dating show

"Having Eva Longoria on our team is a huge advantage for our Alternative program development as we have pleasantly discovered in implementing her ideas for Ready for Love, which is shaping up as a terrific and upbeat series," NBC Entertainment's President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, Paul Telegdy, said in a statement.  "She is passionate, fully engaged and has keen instincts for putting together a winning formula for her shows that always bear her imprint." 

NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke added: "We know that this new agreement with Eva Longoria is significant in continuing what has already been a productive relationship. She has exceptional energy, vision, a prestigious name and the creative knack for finding compelling new concepts for our growing studio."  

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Longoria is also producing the upcoming Lifetime series Devious Maids, which comes from her former Desperate Housewives boss Marc Cherry.

"I am thrilled and excited to join Universal Television on what promises to be a wonderful and creative partnership, especially given all of the recent success at both the studio and the NBC network," Longoria said. "The collaboration between UTV and my production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, on our Ready for Love project has been extraordinary. Looking ahead it will be fun to find and develop unique scripted and non-scripted shows that excite television audiences."