The Hollywood Reporter says that McDonald, most recently on Broadway in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun, will play a college professor in the untitled drama for the WB Network. The series will be set at a small college in New York City; no other details have been announced. The WB program would mark the second television series for the acclaimed actress. McDonald played chief of staff Jackie Brock in the NBC series "Mister Sterling." That political series from Emmy-winning writer/producer Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr. chronicled the struggles of young Senator William Sterling Jr., who was played by Josh Brolin.

A four-time Tony Award winner for her work in A Raisin in the Sun, Master Class, Carousel and Ragtime, Audra McDonald was also on Broadway last season in Henry IV. The singer-actress made her solo Carnegie Hall concert debut in an evening of songs scored for big bands, performing several tunes from her Nonesuch CD "Happy Songs." McDonald's other solo recordings, "Way Back to Paradise" and "How Glory Goes," are also on the Nonesuch label.