The project is based on the Josie Brown novel of the same name, Deadline reports.
The show, described as a "thriller" and a "soap", is expected to focus on a murder and the secrets that emerge afterwards.
Secret Lives is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman, who has previously worked on the CSI franchise, Without A Trace, Dark Blue, The Whole Truth and Chase.
Meanwhile, the script is being penned by Sascha Penn.
ABC is currently working on a number of potential drama series, including Jon Favreau and Seth Green's sci-fi project Ex-Comm, a medical show called House Calls and a modern day update of Jekyll and Hyde.
