Diana Maria Riva is crashing the gates…

The 43-year-old Latina actress, who appeared in Mel Gibson’s What Women Want, has been cast in the NBC comedy pilot The Gates, a project from 20th Century Fox Television and Kapital Entertainment.

The Gates, written by Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, is based on the British series. It’s an adult ensemble comedy set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off and revolves around the parents, school staff and 15-minute social minefield they have to navigate at the beginning and end of each school day.

The show centers on the type-A Helen, who just moved to town with her husband Mark and their eight year-old daughter for Helen’s big new job – the VP of Product Development at Williams-Sonoma.

Riva, who most recently starred in CBS’ short-lived series iRob!, will play Lindsay, the head of the PTA who is very easily pissed off.

Riva’s television credits include appearances on The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI, Less Than Perfect and Castle.