Spike TV is taking its renewed expansion into scripted a step further. The Viacom-owned cable network announced Tuesday that it is developing five new scripted dramas, including World War III from exec producer Bryan Singer. The orders come days before Spike debuts Ben Kingsley starrer Tut, its first scripted event series in eight years.
“Our slate is indicative of our goal to be a network that creates high-quality and dynamic scripted entertainment with a distinctive edge and point of view,” Spike original series exec vp Sharon Levy said of the slate, which includes a range of character-driven dramas spanning different genres and periods.
Here’s a closer look at the five new dramas in the works:
Bad Medicine
This psychological horror series centers on a man in pain who is miraculously cured by a brilliant but unconventional doctor who specializes in clinical trials. The man goes all out to help this doctor find more breakthrough cures, only to realize that there are deadly consequences to the work the doctor does. Aaron Mendelsohn serves as writer, Nick Hamm as executive producer and Momentum TV as producers.
Hummel & Howe
Set in the late 19th century Gilded Age in New York, the drama showcases the wild cases and lives of William Howe and Abraham Hummel — two criminals desperate to escape their past who become the greatest criminal defense attorneys in American history. Hummel & Howe is written by Andy Bellin, and produced by Scott Aversano and Tom Gormican of Additional Dialogue and Endemol Shine Studios.
Mr. In Between
Based on a short story by novelist Walter Mosley, this series focuses on a high-stakes courier who traffics sensitive information between people for whom privacy is a matter of life and death. Diane Houslin and Walter Mosley serve as producers.
Secret America
Set in the near future, this series explores a society where the threat of terrorism has turned the U.S. government into an autocratic state. The show will chronicle the lives of one family as they fight for survival in a world where everyone is watched and no one can be fully trusted, and where patriotism is demanded, not earned. Alcon Television group president Sharon Hall serves as executive producer, Josh Goldin and Rachel Abramowitz as writers and Jaume Collet-Serra as director. Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson exec produce.
World War III
As the world’s geopolitical balance shifts and the next global conflict explodes, America’s Heartland will become Occupied Territory. One man with a troubled past will galvanize a Resistance movement, calling upon ordinary citizens to become the extraordinary heroes of WWIII. The drama is produced by Benay Bros. and Bad Hat Harry, with Bryan Singer on board to exec produce. It was created and written by Aaron and Matthew Benay.
The five dramas join a slate that also includes When the Levee Breaks from Kurt Wimmer; Jerry Bruckheimer’s Harvest; The Crusaders from Pierce Brosnan; Deep Web from Tony Krantz; The Chairman from Stephen Frey; Red Mars from Vince Gerardis; Emergency Broadcast from Legendary Pictures; and War at the Shore based on the book of the same name.
