CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The WB has picked up the drama pilot "Summerland" for a midseason order of 13 episodes. The news comes after almost two months of negotiations between the Frog and distributor Spelling Television.

The WB had reportedly offered a six episode order several weeks ago however some financial sticking points caused Spelling to hold off accepting. The offer was made in reaction to the network's planned "Gilmore Girls" spin-off being scrapped. While neither party has commented about the delay, it seems the upgrade to a 13 episode order (which includes the pilot) has satisfied all parties.

The series stars Lori Loughlin, based on an idea by the actress, as single career woman who, along with her friends, becomes a surrogate family to her sister's orphaned children after the sister and her husband are killed. Nick Benson ("King of Queens"), Shawn Christian ("Birds of Prey"), Ryan Kwanten, Jesse McCartney ("All My Children"), Kay Panabaker ("Angel") and Melissa de Dousa ("One on One") also star.

Stephen Tolkin, Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent and Brad Isaacs are the executive producers with Loughlin also serving as a producer.