Dushku last toplined Fox's "Tru Calling," which was produced by 20th. Both sides remain enamored of the actress, who most recently starred in the Fox pilot "Nurses" (also from 20th). "Clearly we've had a very long-term relationship with her," 20th Century Fox TV chairman Dana Walden said. "We wanted to be in a more significant business relationship now. She's such an interesting, smart, soulful person and that all comes through on the screen."

The studio is now starting to integrate Dushku in the development process, giving her a chance to familiarize herself with some of the scribes who have deals at 20th. "You have to have a tremendous amount of passion for a person you make a deal like this with," Walden said. "You're not just sending them a script and asking them if you like a role. You're bringing them into the development process and integrating them into the fiber of the company."

Both Fox and 20th said they were impressed by Dushku's versatility, given the thesp's experience in comedy (the feature "Bring it On"), action and drama. "She's a Fox star," said Fox Entertainment chairman Peter Liguori. "She's rare -- an incredibly beautiful and feminine actress with a specific strength and playfulness. I just find her very unique. Kevin and I fans of the work she's put down on film."