ABC TV has ordered a TV pilot for a drama apparently inspired by a controversial story in Newsweek last year that touched on Wilmington’s high homicide rate.

The drama, according to Monday entries in The Wrap, Variety and other entertainment sites would star Jada Pinkett Smith, as a district attorney in Wilmington facing the challenges of a high murder rate along with numerous other complications in the city and in her life.

Smith is a well-known actress and the wife of Philadelphia native and film star Will Smith. She would also serve as executive producer, Variety reported.

News of the pilot comes nearly a year after the publication of a Newsweek article entitled Murder Town USA that painted a portrait of a city struggling with a high homicide rate at a time when its neighbors, such as Philadelphia, have seen a decline in the crime category.

The well- crafted article, which created a local and even national stir, helped lead Gov. Jack Markell and the General Assembly to appoint a blue-ribbon panel to study the issue and make recommendations that did not always sit well with current Mayor Dennis Williams, a former Police officer.

Williams is now facing a race for re-election that includes a host of candidates who are all pledging to do something about the homicide rate.

A video interview (shown above) from WHYY Newsworks), showed disdain for the ABC announcement, but said he would welcome any economic boost that would come from filming.

He did not endear himself to people seeking to bring movies and TV shows to the city by threatening to charge high permit fees for producers of the show. Some in the business community have long been critical of licenses and inspections bureaucracy in the city.

Williams had also been critical of the Newsweek article when it was published.

Chances of a sizable econoic impact from the show may be slim. Oftimes, TV shows are not taped in the city of origin. Instead, extensive footage is taken in the city, with much of the action actually taking place on sound stages in New York, California or other locations.

The Newsweek article and TV pilot came at a critical time for the city, which is seeing a development boom along the riverfront and in the downtown area that could be hampered if concerns over crime become too great.

Given the size of Wilmington, there are fears that the show could permanently mar the image of the city. By contrast, cities like Chicago, can shake off the effects of crime dramas or real-life headlines.

Wilmington has seen the loss of the headquarters of DuPont Co., which moved to Chestnut Run Plaza, just outside the city. Spin-off company Chemours is now occupying the downtown space, but is said to be scouting for new locations.

Pilot shows are often long-shots, given the costs and limited number of time slots for TV shows.. However, the presence of Smith and a backer with a track recording to coming up with network shows adds to the chances that a series could emerge.

Networks are also on the prowl for edgier dramas that can compete with violent cable network blockbusters like Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy.

ABC, a part of entertainment giant Disney, is also the home of Scandal, a hit drama starring Kerry Washington as a Washington political fixer. The show is not afraid to use violence in its plot twists.