Poppy Montgomery to Star in ‘Reef Break’ Drama at ABC

Poppy Montgomery
Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells in ‘Unforgettable’ (Photo: Jeff Neumann © 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc.)

Poppy Montgomery’s returning to series television with a starring role in ABC’s Reef Break. The dramatic series was just given a straight to series order, with Montgomery on board to star and executive produce.

The crime drama is based on a story idea by Poppy Montgomery and Ken Sanzel, with Sanzel handling writing duties. Sanzel will also be the season one showrummer.

ABC is targeting a summer 2019 premiere. Season one will consist of 13 episodes.

“We’re thrilled to add this new series fronted by Poppy Montgomery to our summer 2019 slate. It’s an exhilarating and suspenseful ride set against some of the most beautiful locations,” stated Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment.

“ABC Studios International is very excited to be in business with Poppy Montgomery and Ken Sanzel (Numb3rs, NYC22, Ironside), the dream team behind this fantastic new series. We anticipate a series that will engage audiences around the world and are thrilled to work with our partners, M6 and ABC Network on this truly global initiative,” said Keli Lee, managing director, International Content, Platforms and Talent, ABC Studios International.

Reef Break is an ABC Studios, ABC Studios International, and M6 production. The series will air on ABC in the U.S. and on M6 in France.

Montgomery previously starred for seven seasons in CBS’ dramatic series Without a Trace. She also starred for five seasons in CBS/A&E’s Unforgettable. Her feature film credits include Between, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, The Other Sister, Dead Man on Campus, and Life.

The Plot: Reef Break is a sexy, action-packed, one-hour drama starring Poppy Montgomery as Cat Chambers, a thief-turned-fixer for the governor of a stunning and seductive Pacific Island paradise. Impulsive, reckless and irresistible, Cat’s less-than-perfect past gives her an instinctive gift for understanding crime and criminals as she becomes enmeshed in fast-paced, high octane adventures and island intrigue.

Cat’s reappearance also makes waves for old friends, enemies and lovers, including an FBI agent ex-husband, her imprisoned crime boss and a police detective lover who is in over his head. Each episode will be a character-driven cocktail of crime, surf, sex and sunshine, and for Cat, the lines between work and play have never been blurrier.