By Nellie Andreeca
Deadline Hollywood

EXCLUSIVE: Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have set up the first project through the first-look deal they signed with Universal TV and NBCUni’s international TV production division in July. NBC has bought an hourlong drama from the duo and former General Hospital head writer Sri Rao. Tentatively titled White House Confidential, the project is described as an upstairs-downstairs-type soap set in the White House, told from the point of view of a young female doctor who has a secret from her past.

It’s been a busy last two months for Zadan and Meron, who inked the NBCUni deal for series and specials, signed on to produce a live Sound Of Music TV special for NBC, and renewed their long-form deal at Sony TV, putting several more TV movies in the works including biopics of Anna Nicole Smith and Warren Jeffs at Lifetime and a Bonnie & Clyde miniseries at History. Last month, the duo were named producers of the upcoming 2013 Academy Awards. Zadan and Meron executive produce series Smash, Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva and the cable network’s upcoming Steel Magnolias remake.