"You are still dealing with contemporary themes, but it's a much more romantic, imaginative time--our country was so young." That's how Brett Cullen (ex-Dan, Falcon Crest) describes his new drama Legacy, in which he plays Ned Logan, patriarch--and single dad--of the Logan family in post-Civil War Kentucky. Nestled before Love Boat on Fridays, Legacy promises to be family-friendly while still keeping viewers hooked on dramatic storylines.

"There's a scene where I talk to my oldest son about our adopted son," says Cullen, describing themes of the show. "Our legacy is to give to others less fortunate than we. We've obviously done very well for ourselves." The family is progressive for their time, to say the least. While Alice (Lea Moreno) wears the traditionally binding corset, she is a young woman unafraid to express her forward-thinking views. Lexy (Sarah Rayne), the youngest, is the show's voice of wisdom--think Party of Five's Claudia a century ago. Sean (played by Grayson McCouch, ex-Morgan, AW), the eldest, feels trapped in his life. Expected to fill his father's shoes and set to marry Vivian (Lisa Sheridan) while secretly in love with Marita (Sharon Leal, Dahlia, GL), an African-American servant, Sean longs to break free. And Clay (Jeremy Garrett) is having a hard time getting along with Dad, especially when Dad takes in a "12-year-old orphan" who turns out to be the significantly older Jeremy (Ron Melendez), a con artist from New York. It's hard to tell whether or not Jeremy is on the level--or at least if he'll be able to overcome his pickpocketing past--buy by the end of the first show, it's clear he's stolen Alice's heart.

Set against a breathtaking, Gone with the Wind-type backdrop, Legacy takes it a step beyond. "I loved the idea of Kentucky because I love bluegrass, I love horses, I love the whole racing aspect of it," explains Executive producer Chris Abbott. While it takes place 20 years after Gone with the Wind, Abbott had that very film on her mind when penning the Legacy pilot. "I think it's one of the most incredible movies ever made," she says.

Future episodes further explore Jeremy's nature as well as the relationship between blacks and whites at the time. "I do foresee us delving into the Civil War somewhat," says Abbott, "as it related to our family and what that war did to them." Abbott also hints that the uppity Vivian, who Sean leaves at the altar, will turn into the "vixen you love to hate."

"It's not cliche," says Jeremy Garrett. "It's real struggles, real ambitions, real dreams. And well all have that."

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