E! Announces Nine New Scripted Series Including Kevin Spacey Project
Is reality TV’s domination of American television programming finally coming to an end? Perhaps the biggest offender when it comes to often reviled celebrity reality shows, E! is making the move towards scripted programming, with nine original series on the way, including a Silicon Valley-set drama with Kevin Spacey signed on to executive produce.
The network known for shows like ‘Bridal Plasty’ and the just-cancelled ‘Khloe and Lamar‘ is set to reveal a healthy slate of scripted series at this afternoon’s Upfront presentation in New York. Here’s a breakdown of what we can look forward to from E!, besides endless ‘Ice Loves Coco’ reruns.
‘Amy Devlin Mysteries’ is based on the Oni Press graphic novel of the same name, this procedural follows Amy Devlin,”a late-twenty-something, culturally obsessed detective.” The show promises to shake up traditional procedural storytelling when Devlin “becomes part of the crime scene,” according to E! entertainment programming president, Lisa Berger. Daniel Barnz (‘Wont Back Down’) Eric Gitter of Oni Press and Andy Bourne of CBS TV Studios are set to executive produce.
‘Anne of Hollywood’ is produced by John Wells (‘ER,’ ‘The West Wing’ ‘Shameless’) and based on Carol Wolper’s best seller about a modern day Hollywood Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. The project comes from John Wells Productions and Warner Horizon Television.
‘Dorothy’ is a ‘Wizard of Oz’ inspired drama from ‘Gossip Girl’ writer, Natalie Krinsky and Warner Horizon Television about a Kansas City girl who falls for a man and moves with him to the Emerald City to work at his Emerald Hotel.
‘Fascination Street’ is a “then-and-now look at the tumultuous relationship between two brothers as they work to make their band a success in the past and struggle to find out who is behind the disappearance of the lead singer in the present.” Josh Reims (‘Brothers & Sisters’), Ross Fineman (‘Lights Out’) and ‘Salt’ director, Philip Noyce are executive producing the FOX TV Studios project with Rolling Stones documentary maker, Stephen Kijak serving as writer.
‘The 400′ is a stylized New York drama set in the late nineteenth century and focused on the rise of the Vanderbilt dynasty. From Fox Television Studios, writer Emily Whitsell (‘Brothers & Sisters, ‘Life Unexpected’) and executive producer, Anne Thomopoulos (‘Camelot,’ ‘Rome’).
‘Juror #9′ is the story of Alex Dunbar, “a good man who makes one critically bad decision” when he accidentally kills the woman whose been blackmailing him over a shady business deal. Dunbar’s life is turned upside down when he frames a prominent businessman for the murder, leading to a trial that quickly becomes a national obsession. ‘Juror #9′ comes from writer Brian Ross (‘Crossing Jordan, ‘L.A. Dragnet’), executive producer/director, Danny Cannon (‘CSI,’ ‘CSI Miami,’ ‘Alcatraz’) and Warner Horizon.
‘King David’ is story of a Mark Cuban-esque billionaire “with a penchant for hooking up with lobbyists in the nation’s capital.” The Universal Cable Productions drama is written and co-executive produced by ’The West Wing’s’ David Gerken.
‘Untitled Assistant Project’ follows a group of executive assistants who appear loyal to their bosses on the surface but plan their own rise to power when their superiors are away. The Fox Television Studios project features writers Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin from ‘Missing’ and ‘The Glades’ Gary A. Randall as executive producer.
‘Upstarts’ comes from Kevin Spacey and ‘The Social Network’ producer, Michael De Luca. The series follows three big dreamers seeking to achieve wealth and power in late ’90s Silicon Valley. The Universal Cable Productions project is written by Joey Falco who will serve as co-executive producer alongside Dana Brunetti, Ben Younger and Brian Hass.
How’s that for a refreshing helping of original scripted programming? Which one of these potential new series are you most interested in seeing. Or are you still jonesing for more Kardashians? Let us know in the comments!