It seems that M. Night Shyamalan’s run at directing a series for Syfy is not a flukish foray for the man onto the small screen after all. Fox revealed at TCA earlier today that they have enlisted the director (as well as someone else which we will get to in a moment) to help launch push longform (serialized) programming for the network. This marks a departure from the channel which has previously languished in typical broadcast fare, but also might mark the beginning of a turning point for free television as cable has surged in popularity for its willingness to go where rabbit ears will not.
Shyamalan’s part in all this will be to help develop Wayward Pines alongside Playboy Club writer Chad Hodge. The mini-series is based on a best-selling novel from Blake Crouch that tells the story of Secret Service agent Ethan Burke on a mission to find two missing federal agents. The program is being billed as a Twin Peaks-style thriller. If proven successful, an initial 10 to 12 episodes could turn into full-blown series.
Fox has also enlisted Band of Brothers and The Pacific writer Bruce C. Kenna to work on an event for the network called Blood Brothers. The program will center around the West Point Class of 1861 and tell the story of two friends that find themselves opposite each other during the Civil War. Its story spans four years as it captures the rise of the West Point Brotherhood from second lieutenants to field generals. Touched producer Timothy Scott Bogart is on board the project as well.
Fox promises that at least one of these will likely make it to air in 2014, and if they like what they see, audiences can expect more of this going forward.
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First Trailer for M. Night’s Next Film: ‘After Earth’ Starring Will Smith