Katey Sagal had been the most sought after actress at ABC in the early stages of 2020 pilot season. The network had been high on the Sons of Anarchy (2008) and Married with Children (1987) alumna since 2019 when it ordered her comedy starring vehicle,Nana, to pilot. The project did not proceed, but ABC remained in business with Sagal, tapping her for arcs on Grand Hotel (2019) and The Conners (2018) and sent her almost every one of their hottest scripts for her to choose from. She picked Rebel.
Itt was announced in January 2020 that Katey Sagal had signed on for the title role in Rebel, a drama inspired by the life of activist Erin Brockovich, and that it received a pilot order at ABC. Executive produced by Brockovich, Rebel hails from Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff, Davis Entertainment, Sony Pictures TV and ABC Studios.
Adam Arkin also acted in the same series as Katey Sagal in Sons Of Anarchy.
It was announced on May 15, 2021 that ABC had cancelled the show after one season. The news came just a month after the show premiered.
