E! Entertainment is delivering on its promise to expand into scripted programming with the announcement of the network's first slate of projects in active development. The projects offer unique points of view on the world of pop culture from some of the industry's established players, as well as some of the most talented new voices. Multiple Emmy award winner John Wells, two time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey, Academy Award nominee Michael Deluca, Phillip Noyce, Emily Whitesell and Josh Reims are among the renowned creative minds executive producing projects in development. E!'s first scripted series will make its debut in 2013.
"We are extremely pleased with the projects currently in development as we extend E! into the scripted space," said Lisa Berger, President, Entertainment Programming, E! "Our strategy is centered on telling compelling stories that reflect pop culture relevancy in unique and irreverent ways, and these scripted series will complement E!'s already diverse mix of reality, topical, news and comedy franchises. The response from the creative community has been incredibly positive and we are excited to be in business with such high-caliber writers, producers and directors."
One-hour series in development include:
AMY DEVLIN MYSTERIES – A modern take on procedural storytelling, Amy Devlin is a late 20something, culturally-obsessed detective who brings her own style and POV to police work. Based on the graphic novel of the same name. From writer Daniel Barnz, who wrote and directed "Won't Back Down," starring Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Holly Hunter which hits theaters in September. Executive Producers are Daniel Barnz, Eric Gitter from Oni Press and Andy Bourne from CBS Productions.
ANNE OF HOLLYWOOD –Based on the bestselling novel by Carol Wolper, the story of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII is reset in present-day Hollywood ... "the flashiest, most treacherous court of all." The elements of Anne's true story -- love, passion, intrigue, betrayal, infidelity and conspiracy -- remain fully intact, and become truly relatable to today's audience. From John Wells Productions and Warner Horizon Television.
DOROTHY – Inspired by the books "Dorothy" and "The Wizard of Oz," a girl from Kansas City falls for a man and moves with him to the Emerald City to work at his Emerald Hotel. From writer Natalie Krinsky ("Gossip Girl," "Grey's Anatomy") and Warner Horizon Television.
FASCINATION STREET – 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 who is behind the disappearance of the lead singer in the present. From executive producers Phillip Noyce (directed the feature films "Salt," "Clear and Present Danger," "Patriot Games"), Josh Reims ("Brothers & Sisters," "Dirty, Sexy Money," "Felicity"), Ross Fineman ("Lights Out"), and writer Steven Kijak (documentary director of "Stones In Exile," "Scott Walker: 30
Century Man"). From Fox Television Studios.
THE 400 – The rise of the Vanderbilt dynasty is chronicled in this sprawling, stylized and fast-paced drama set in NY society of the 1890s, where "Society" was defined by the number of people who could fit into Mrs. Astor's ballroom. From prolific writer Emily Whitesell ("Once and Again," "Crossing Jordan," "Brothers & Sisters," "Life Unexpected") and Executive Producer Anne Thomopoulos ("Borgia," "Camelot," "Rome"). From Fox Television Studios.
JUROR #9 – Alex Dunbar is a good man who makes one critically bad decision –he accidentally kills a woman who has been blackmailing him for a somewhat shady business deal. He frames a man who turns out to become the scion of a business empire. The ensuing media frenzy engulfs the police investigator, the DA and even Alex's wife as the trial becomes the national obsession. As the story unfolds, we learn that the man framed is far from innocent, the blackmailer was not who she seemed, and the puppet master for this media circus seems to be juror #9...aka Alex Dunbar. From writer Brian Ross ("Crossing Jordan," "LA Dragnet") and Executive Producer/Director Danny Cannon (CSI, CSI Miami, Alcaltraz). From Warner Horizon Television.
KING DAVID – From writer (and former D.C. lobbyist who has worked for Rep. NancyPelosi and Sen. George Mitchell) David Gerken ("West Wing," "E-Ring") comes the tale of a modern-day "Mr. Smith" who is, in this case, a self-made billionaire with a penchant for hooking up with lobbyists in the nation's capital. Gerken will also serve as co-executive producer. From Universal Cable Productions.
UNTITLED ASSISTANT PROJECT – Ambition bordering on insubordination fuels the lives of a group of executive assistants who are seemingly loyal minions to their high-powered bosses. However, when their superiors are out of the office, the gloves come off as these aspiring titans plot their way up the corporate ladder. From writers Meredith Lavender & Marcie Ulin ("Missing," "Covert Affairs," "Charlie's Angels") and executive producer Gary A. Randall ("Saving Grace," "The Glades"). From Fox Television Studios.
UPSTARTS – Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and Oscar-nominated producer Michael Deluca ("The Social Network," "Moneyball") are Executive Producers through their respective production companies, Trigger Street Productions and Michael Deluca Productions, of this sprawling drama in which three big dreamers seek to grab their share of wealth and glory amidst Silicon Valley's digitAl Gold rush of the late 1990s. Fueled by power, money, sex and politics, these three will stop at nothing to earn a spot atop the digital food chain. Written by Joey Falco, who will also be a co-executive producer. Dana Brunetti and Ben Younger will also Executive Produce with Younger set to direct, if ordered to pilot. Brian Haas is also set to co-executive produce. From Universal Cable Productions.
About E! Entertainment
E! is television's top global destination for all things pop culture. The network is currently available to 98 million cable and satellite subscribers in the U.S. and E! content is available on all platforms any time and anywhere from E! Online to social media to mobile to VOD to the latest emerging platforms. Popular programming includes E! core franchises, "E! News," "The Soup," "Chelsea Lately," "Fashion Police" and "True Hollywood Story," as well as the network's hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," "Khloé & Lamar," "Kourtney and Kim Take New York," "Ice Loves Coco" and "After Lately." Additionally, E!'s "Live from the Red Carpet" signature events keep fans connected to their favorite stars on pop culture's biggest nights. E! is a network of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.
Videos