Christina Applegate is returning to series television as the star of ABC’s comedy pilot “Sam I Am.” Jean Smart also has joined the project.

“Sam,” from ABC TV Studio and Brillstein-Grey TV, centers on a woman (Applegate) with amnesia who has to rediscover her life. Smart will play her self-absorbed mother.

Applegate had been heavily pursued to star in a series since the end of her previous show, NBC’s “Jesse,” but this is the first pilot she has agreed to do. The “Married With Children” alumna won an Emmy for her guest-starring role on NBC’s “Friends.” Her feature credits include “The Sweetest Thing,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Employee of the Month.” She is repped by CAA, Management 360 and attorney Stephen Warren.