NETWORK
Quantico Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: Mark Gordon Company Executive Producer(s): Joshua Safran, Mark R. Gordon, Nicholas Pepper Writer(s): Joshua Safran Logline: A group of young, sexy FBI recruits, all with specific reasons for joining, go through training given by current Special Agents at the college-like Quantico base in Virginia. One of the recruits turns out to be a sleeper terrorist who creates the most severe terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11. SSN Insight: ABC landed the project in September with a script commitment. The drama was one of eight projects the Mark Gordon Company developed this past season.
L.A. Crime Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: Mandeville Films/TV Executive Producer(s): Steven Baigelman, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Laurie Zaks Writer(s): Steven Baigelman Logline: Two LA cops track a serial killer team amidst the rock-and-roll, coke-infused revelry of the 1980s Sunset Strip.
Runner Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: Sander/Moses Productions Executive Producer(s): Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Peter Horton, Michael G. Cooney, Jon Cowan Writer(s): Michael G. Cooney Logline: Centers on a woman who believes she is leading a perfect life — she has a loving husband, a perfect child, a rewarding career and close friends. However, overnight her life is ripped apart by one simple twist of fate she soon realizes that to uncover the truth, she must follow a trail of lies to The End. Details: Based on the Turkish series "Son," written by Berkun Oya and produced by Ay Yapim, which aired over the first half of 2012. SSN Insight: Fox originally gave an off-cycle, cast-contingent pilot order on September 10 and marked for series production in summer 2014 under former network president Kevin Reilly.
Of Kings and Prophets Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: ABC Studios Executive Producer(s): Jason Reed, Reza Aslan, Mahyad Tousi Writer(s): Adam Cooper, Bill Collage Logline: An epic Biblical saga of faith, ambition and betrayal as told through the eyes of a battle-weary king, a powerful and resentful prophet and a resourceful young shepherd on a collision course with destiny. SSN Insight: Scribes previously penned the Ridley Scott movie Exodos: Gods and Kings.
Mix Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Le Train Train Executive Producer(s): Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Jeff Grosvenor, Jennifer Cecil Writer(s): Jennifer Cecil Logline: A one-hour dramedy that explores the realities of modern-day families-- multi-cultural, multi-generational, built through divorces, affairs and adoptions -- set against the backdrop of a revered family restaurant at a crossroads. SSN Insight: This project marks the second year in a row that the two-year-old company has scored a pilot pickup following NBC’s A to Z.
CBS/ Untitled Tommy Johnagin Comedy Project Network: CBS Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Doozer Productions Executive Producer(s): Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Bill Lawrence, Jeff Ingold Writer(s): Tommy Johnagin, Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker Logline: A standup comic raises a family in a small Midwestern town. Details: Inspired by Tommy Johnagin's life. SSN Insight: CBS has ordered a pilot. Halpern and Schumacker also have a pilot production commitment from ABC for multi-camera family comedy Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth. This is the first pilot order for Johnagin who had a previous project at NBC in 2012, and last year he developed a comedy at USA Network.
CBS/ Untitled Tony Phelan/ Joan Rater Legal Drama Project Network: CBS Entertainment Studio: CBS Television Studios Production Company: Timberman/Beverly Productions Executive Producer(s): Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly Writer(s): Tony Phelan, Joan Rater Logline: A smart, successful thirty-something defense attorney shockingly falls for one of her clients who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime. While she continues to try a variety of cases at her firm, she pursues her lover’s defense as this relationship reverberates throughout her previously well-constructed life. SSN Insight: CBS gave an initial put pilot commitment on October 15 and ordered a pilot on January 21.
Life in Pieces Network: CBS Studio: Fox TV Production Company: Kaptial Entertainment Executive Producer(s): Justin Adler, Kaplan Writer(s): Justin Adler Logline: The comedy is about one family told through separate stories following its different family members. Adler and Kaplan executive produce. SSN Insight: Adler and Kaplan previously teamed up on a series based on Cameron Crowe’s 1989 movie Say Anything, which sold to NBC with significant penalty. When Crowe objected, the project was ditched and Adler and Kaplan decided to develop a comedy idea Adler had written on spec. On the feature side, Adler’s script The Escort was on the Black List. He is writing All-Nighter with Greg Grunberg for Bad Robot and Paramount and House Arrest for Broken Road and Relativity.
FOX / Untitled Dan Fogelman / John Stamos Comedy Project Network: Fox Broadcasting Company Studio: ABC Studios Production Companies: St. Amos Productions, Rhode Island Ave. Productions Executive Producer(s): Dan Fogelman, John Stamos, Danny Chun Writer(s): Danny Chun Logline: A charismatic longtime bachelor whose life is upended when he discovers he’s a father and a grandfather. SSN Insight: Fox gave an initial put pilot commitment on September 11 and ordered a pilot on January 23.
Studio City Network: Fox Broadcasting Company Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: John Wells Productions Executive Producer(s): Krista Vernoff, John Wells, Andrew Stearn Writer(s): Krista Vernoff Logline: The family dramedy is set in present-day Studio City, California. Inspired by Krista Vernoff’s real-life experience growing up as the daughter of a drug dealer to the stars. SSN Insight: Fox gave an initial put pilot commitment on October 6 and ordered the pilot on January 23.
Untitled Live Action X-Men Series Studio: Fox Executive Producer(s): Evan Katz, Manny Coto, Patrick McKay, JD Payne Writer(s): Patrick McKay, JD Payne Logline: Storyline under wraps SSN Insight: The writing pair of McKay and Payne also penned Star Trek 3 while Katz and Coto were behind 24. Although 20th Century Fox owns the rights to X-Men for features (seven have been released based on X-Men characters), in order of this television series to go ahead, Marvel would have to approve.
Game of Silence Network: NBC Entertainment Studio: Sony Pictures Television Production Companies: Intrigue, TIMS Productions, Carol Mendelsohn Productions Executive Producer(s): David Hudgins, Carol Mendelsohn, Julie Weitz, Timur Savci, Tariq Jalil Writer(s): David Hudgins Logline: Centers on a rising attorney on the brink of spectacular success who could lose his perfect life when his long lost childhood friends threaten to expose a dark secret from their violent past. Based on the Turkish series, "Suskunlar," which aired in 2012. SSN Insight: NBC initially gave a pilot plus penalty commitment on September 9 and ordered the pilot on January 21.
#PeopleAreTalking Network: NBC Entertainment Studio: Universal Television Production Company: Will Packer Productions Executive Producer(s): DJ Nash, William Packer Writer(s): DJ Nash Logline: Examines sex, race and everything else your parents told you never to talk about. SSN Insight: NBC ordered a pilot on January 20. This is Packer’s third sale this season, Packer sold semi-autobiographical Like Father, Like Son to NBC, whose company is also behind NBC's Uncle Buck remake.
Take It From Us Network: NBC Entertainment Studio: Sony Pictures Television Production Company: 3 Arts Entertainment Executive Producer(s): Gregory S. Malins, Barry Schwartz, Michael Rotenberg, Jonathan Berry Writer(s): Gregory S. Malins, Barry Schwartz Logline: A couple in their 50s tell their son and his new fiancé all the mistakes they made in life in hopes the new couple can avoid making the same mistakes. SSN Insight: NBC gave an initial script commitment plus penalty on October 7. On January 20 they ordered a pilot.
Endgame Network: NBC Entertainment Studio: Sony Pictures Television Production Company: Davis Entertainment Executive Producer(s): John Rogers, John Davis, John Fox Writer(s): John Rogers Logline: A former intelligence officer, while working as a security expert for the wealthy, is wrongly accused of the brutal murder of his wife. A syndicate of powerful people offers him freedom in exchange for stopping high-stakes crimes, as he continues to avenge his wife’s death and uncover the game-like conspiracy among his mysterious employers. He eventually realizes he’s a player in a hundred-year-old tradition where the rich and powerful bet on the ultimate "game": crime in our world. SSN Insight: The network has ordered a pilot from the Blacklist and Leverage co-creator John Fox.
Blindspot Network: NBC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Berlanti Productions Executive Producer(s): Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero Writer(s): Martin Gero Logline: A beautiful, mysterious woman with no memory of her past is found naked in the middle of Times Square, her body covered in fresh tattoos — including the inked name of an FBI agent on her back. The FBI becomes involved in the case, using the tattoos on her body as a road map of clues to unlock a conspiracy and discover her identity. SSN Insight: NBC gave an initial script plus penalty commitment on August 28 and picked up the pilot on January 23. With this pilot, Blindspot brings NBC's drama pilots to six this season. The project is Gero's latest TV foray following The CW's The L.A. Complex.
Unveiled Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Production Company: LightWorkers Media Executive Producer(s): Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, John J Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart, Writer(s): John J Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart Logline: Revolves around a group of flawed guardian angels who intervene in the lives of those who find themselves facing crisis in an attempt to restore their faith and, often, save their lives. SSN Insight: Project rolled from 2013-2014, NBC redeveloped the script in August and ordered the pilot on January 23.
Heart Matters Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Executive Producer(s): Jill Gordon, Brad Silberling, Amy Brenneman, Susan Carlson, Kelly Meyer, Eric Carlson Writer(s): Jill Gordon Logline: Follows the outspoken Alex Panttiere, one of the rare female heart-transplant surgeons, who brings an innovative eye to treating patients week to week while also balancing the complications of her professional and romantic life. Details: Based on the memoir, "Heart Matters: A Memoir of a Female Heart Surgeon," written by Kathy E. Magliato, MD and published by Crown Archetype on January 26, 2010. SSN Insight: Ordered to pilot on January 23. Silberling will also direct the pilot in addition to producing.
CABLE
Gamer’s Guide Network: Disney XD Studio: Disney Worldwide Television Production Company: It's A Laugh Productions Executive Producer(s): Bill Kunstler, Devin Bunje, Nick Stanton, Jim O'Doherty Writer(s): Devin Bunje, Nick Stanton Logline: A15-year-old video game phenom, is forced to attend high school for the first time after a thumb injury sidelines him from the glamorous pro gaming circuit. As a coping mechanism, he begins to visualize life as a video game. SSN Insight: Ordered straight to series. Disney has ordered 10 episodes as of January 21. EVP of original programming at Disney, Adam Bonnett said to IGN, "We are bringing the video game universe to life and giving our popular multi-camera series a fresh, new twist by integrating gaming visual effects into each episode."
Red Mars Network: Spike Executive Producer(s): Vince Gerardis Writer(s): J. Michael Straczynski Logline: The story explores the colonization and terraforming transformation of Mars into a place where humans can sustainably live. It asks the core question - what is it to be human when we are no longer of earth? Are we not then Martians? Details: Based on Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars" novel series, starting with "Red Mars," published by Spectra - Bantam Books, January 1, 1993. SSN Insight: Originally in development as a miniseries for Sci Fi Channel with Valhalla attached as production company, Gale Anne Hurd attached as executive producer & Gregory Widen attached as writer, project rolled over to 2008-2009 at AMC. Rolled over to 2009-2010 season at AMC.
Shaq Inc. Network: TruTV Production Company: Mandalay Sports Media Executive Producer(s): Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Tollin Writer(s): Jeremy Garelick Logline: Under the well-meaning but wayward leadership of their CEO, Shaquille O'Neal, the motley crew at Shaq Inc. attempts to execute Shaq’s eccentric (but often brilliant) ideas, while also putting out fires involving Shaq’s ever-growing list of business partners and constantly jockeying for the power and recognition to make the big guy proud. Details: Loosely based on the business empire of Shaquille O’Neal. SSN Insight: TruTV ordered a pilot on Janurary 23. “There is no denying Shaq’s multifaceted appeal,” said Chris Linn, president, head of programming for truTV in an interview with TVbytheNumbers. “Thus, we couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with him, as well as Mike Tollin and Mandalay Sports Media, as we continue to push into new formats.”
The Council Network: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Studio: NBCUniversal International Production Company: Lark Productions, Keston International Productions Executive Producer(s): Rene Balcer, Louise Clark, Erin Haskett, Trevor Walto, Denis Coyne. Writer(s): Rene Balcer Logline: An investigation begins with a ritualistic killing in an isolated Arctic outpost but grows to expose an international conspiracy to control the vast natural resources of the Arctic. SSN Insight: Bacler is an Emmy award-winning writer/showrunner with credits spanning twenty years within the Law & Order franchise. NBCUniversal International Television Production retains all distribution rights.
Lonely Hearts Killers Network: Showtime Studio: Universal Cable Productions Production Company: Hypnotic Executive Producer(s): Doug Liman, Dave Bartis, Liz W. Garcia, Josh Harto, Gene Klein Writer(s): Liz W. Garcia, Josh Harto Logline: A modern retelling of the Lonely Hearts Killers of the 1940s. It follows the unlikely coupling of a sexy, violent grifter and a quiet, love starved Dairy Plant employee on a cross-country crime spree. They seduce and ultimately murder lonely women – but most surprising of all, fall deeply in love with each other along the way. SSN Insight: Previous films on the subject include the 2006 Lonely Hearts starring John Travolta and James Gandolfini and the case also in an episode of the CBS’s Cold Case. On the film side, Garcia and Harto produced the 2013 Sundance entry The Lifeguard starring Kristen Bell. Also, Garcia is writing the next sequel of The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants for Alloy.
DIGITAL
Casanova Network: Amazon Studio: Amazon Studios Production Company: Electus Executive Producer(s): Stu Zicherman, Ben Silverman Writer(s): Stu Zicherman Logline: A drama about the adventures of the real Casanova after he escaped from prison. SSN Insight: Amazon has given a pilot order. Silverman’s credits include period dramas The Tudors on Showtime and Marco Polo on Netflix, he also executive produces CW’s Jane The Virgin, recently picked up for Season 2, and the recently ordered Will Arnett Netflix comedy series Flaked. The pilot will be filmed on location in Paris.
NETWORK PENDING
Animals Production Company: Duplass Brothers Productions Executive Producer(s): Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass Writer(s): Phil Matarese, Mike Luciano Logline: Animated series follows the downtrodden creatures native to Earth’s least habitable environment: New York City. SSN Insight: The first two episodes of the ten episode series was screened at Sundance on Monday. It was financed independently with private equity money. Matarese and Luciano wrote and directed Animals., in addition to voicing many of the characters.
David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef Studio: Entertainment One Television Production Companies: Atlantic Productions, David Attenborough Productions Ltd. Executive Producer(s): David Attenborough, Anthony Geffen Writer(s): David Attenborough Logline: This three-episode hour long series will leverage innovative camera technology and draw on the latest research to explore the great barrier reef. SSN Insight: Atlantic Productions has signed a distribution deal with Entertainment One Television for worldwide rights outside the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
True Conviction Production Companies: Studio Lambert, All3Media Executive Producer(s): James Trainum, Stephen Lambert, Eli Holzman and Greg Goldman Writer(s): James Trainum Logline: True Conviction will focus on a single homicide during the course of an entire season. The case will feature a suspect who was convicted of murder but for which doubt still remains as to actual guilt. SSN Insight: Episodes will air in near real-time as the investigation unfolds. Trainum, nationally recognized as an expert in wrongful convictions during his time as a detective over 27 years with the Washington DC police is now a private consultant.
Broken Monsters Studio: Endemol Studios Production Company: Additional Dialogue Executive Producer(s): Scott Aversano, Tom Gormican Logline: Detective Gabriella Versado, also the single mom of a teenage daughter, tracks a murderer who mutilates victims in bizarre and alarming ways. Details: Based on Lauren Beukes’ supernatural suspense novel “Broken Monsters”. SSN Insight: This is Additional Dialogue’s first book acquisition from their first look deal with Endemol Studios.