Rachelle Lefevre has been cast in the lead title role of the CBS drama pilot ‘Applebaum,’ Deadline is reporting. The former ‘Twilight’ star, whose other CBS drama, the modestly-rated ‘A Gifted Man,’ just finished its freshman run on March 2, 2012, will portray Juliet Applebaum. The title character is a former public defender who becomes bored with being a stay-at-home mom. To fight her boredom, Juliet becomes a private investigator.

Chris Columbus has signed on to direct the pilot episode of ‘Applebaum,’ which is based on Avelet Waldman’s ‘Mommy Track Mysteries’ book series. Waldman, Jennifer Levin and Sherri Cooper all wrote the script for the pilot, which they will be executive producing with Columbus, Michael Barnathan and Jeff Rake. ‘Applebaum’ will be produced by CBS TV Studios, with Rake serving as showrunner.

‘Applebaum’ is in second position to ‘A Gifted Man’ for Lefevre, who is represented by Peral Hanan Management. CBS hasn’t yet announced whether or not it will renew ‘A Gifted Man’ for a second season, as the network is waiting on its drama pilots. But the actress chose ‘Applebaum’ over a competing, unknown pilot from ABC. Her former ‘Twilight’ co-star, Ashley Greene, did join a new show on ABC, ‘Americana.’

Written by: Karen Benardello