TV Bites: Mary Steenburgen to Cry and Sing as Cable Outlaw

· Congratulations are in order for Mary Steenburgen, who has won a leading role in FX's drama pilot Outlaw Country that is already being compared to Shirley MacLaine's in Terms of Endearment. The Oscar-winning actress will play a powerful country music icon who is very protective of her daughter Annabel. The project, from Josh Goldin and Rachel Abramowitz, will follow organized crime and Nashville royalty. Shooter Jennings is involved in the project as executive consultant and music supervisor. [Deadline]

Starz explores organized crime, HBO orders more Entourage, and more TV Bites after the jump.

· Starz is developing a U.S. version of the Australian crime drama Underbelly, about the criminal underworld and its inhabitants. Let the Sopranos comparisons begin! [THR]

· Word on the street is that HBO will order at least six more episodes of Entourage. Execs are still deciding whether to consider the new installments an extension of season seven or an eighth season. [The Wrap]

· NCIS cast member Sean Murray has inked a deal to return to the CBS crime series for an eighth season which means that the entire cast will be back. [THR]

· Syfy's latest idea -- allowing fans to write an upcoming feature film for the network -- could end up a complete disaster or -- a complete disaster. [THR]