ABC Greenlights The Middle With Patricia Heaton

After closing a deal with Patricia Heaton for the lead, ABC has greenlighted the comedy pilot, The Middle, casting Julie Anne Robinson to direct. The Middle, written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family through the eyes of the mother (Heaton). ABC, which originally developed the project during the 2006-07 development cycle when it was picked up to pilot and starred Ricki Lake, resurrected it in the summer with a pilot order contingent on casting Heaton. Production on the show is slated to begin in February.