NBC has given a 13-episode straight-to-series order to “Aquarius,” penned by drama vet John McNamara (“In Plain Sight,” “Profit”) who exec produces with Duchovny, Marty Adelstein (“Prison Break”) and Duchovny’s longtime manager Melanie Greene. “Aquarius” hails from ITV Studios and Marty Adelstein Prods.
The pact also marks Duchovny’s reunion with NBC Entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt, who greenlight “Californication” during his tenure as Showtime entertainment prexy. Greenblatt and Duchovny also go back to the origins of “The X-Files” when Greenblatt headed drama at Fox.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Bob Greenblatt again and coming back to broadcast television. I think ‘Aquarius’ has a chance to be a special show and I can’t wait to get going,” Duchovny said. Greenblatt returned the compliment, adding: ”I’m especially pleased that he wanted to come to NBC where I know there is a big audience waiting to see him.”
In “Aquarius,” Duchovny will play a Los Angeles police sergeant with a complicated personal life. In the late 1960s, he and his younger partner begin tracking a small-time criminal who specializes in luring vulnerable young women to his “cause.”
The plan is that the series will follow “the twists and turns” of Manson’s early efforts, but the horrific murder spree in August 1969 that made his name synonymous with evil will not enter the story until subsequent seasons.
“Event series are a big priority for us, and the combination of a show that charts the lead-up to the Manson murders, along with a television star of the magnitude of David Duchovny, is the very definition of an event,” said NBC Entertainment prexy Jennifer Salke.
“Aquarius” is not the only TV project to delve into the Manson murder milieu. Fox is developing an event series from Bret Easton Ellis and Rob Zombie that would focus more specifically on the brutal murders of seven people in two separate incidents that became known as the Tate-LaBianca murders. Among the victims were actress Sharon Tate, wife of Roman Polanski who was eight months pregnant, and prominent Hollywood hairdresser Jay Sebring.
The straight-to-series order also marks NBC’s most recent big bet on high-profile talent. The Peacock last month gave a straight-to-series order to a drama to star Jennifer Lopez as an FBI agent.
The auspices and 13-episode order make “Aquarius” one of ITV Studios’ most high-profile network projects to date.
“We’re delighted to be working with Marty on this incredible series that he, John and David have put together. This is an exciting and major project for ITV Studios America as we continue to expand our scripted drama presence here in the U.S. and internationally,” said Paul Buccieri, president and CEO of ITV Studios US Group.
Original article here
excellent
ReplyDeleteI bet a lot of people, especially nowadays will be mad about this show, because it makes Manson look bad. I guess you can't please everyone, though....Personally, I can't wait to see it though.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for this.
ReplyDeleteObviously, the NBC TV "Aquairous" cop series is intended to exploit the Manson name without actually depicting REAL events with other REAL names. BUT the ASSOCIATION with the MANSON name is a great way to bring attention to and EXPLOIT an otherwise: "Just another cop show."
ReplyDeleteBUT the new and improved "Rosemary's Baby" TV series - also by NBC - has got me baffled. Are they exploiting the Polanski name OR the MANSON name. I mean NOW the story takes place in France, instead of New York. Are they trying to say "The Devil" moved to Paris (like Polanski) ?
Was the STAR (Zoe) in attendance at one of the MANSON screenings last year ?
I don't want to speculate too much, but remember how the "GODFATHER" films captured movie audiences all over the world - all over again - AFTER the word MAFIA had drifted into near extinction ?
Of course, AFTER the resuuection of the MAFIA mystique via movies, the "really bad boys of crime" fell back into a more fitting occupation of "cheap-ass DVD counterfieters." (SEE the pic of Clem (on Ann's post) taken from an illegal MANSON DVD made by the infamous New Jersey counterfeit ring.
NOW, here's a REAL story for a younger generation. "A bunch of tough guy Mafia member's "grandchildren" get together and form a mew Gang to truck recycleable soda cans from Nevada into California for CRV redemption $$$$$. Obama is so impressed HE awards them the Congressional Aluiminium metal of Honor.
So where does the Colonel fit in to all of this?
ReplyDeleteThe Col knows David and says this is stoopid
ReplyDeleteDavid Duchovny will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight (it's still Tuesday evening where I live). It's probably already aired on the east coast and midwest. I set my DVR to record it. I'll post about it tomorrow after I watch it if he mentions the Manson project.....
ReplyDeleteI'll tune in. Hopefully I stay tuned in more than 10 minutes. That's as long as I normally last until I roll my eyes at the inaccuracies and go do something else.
ReplyDeleteFunny, because the cops did exactly the OPPOSITE of what their fictional TV counterparts are set to do. Now that's some fun (and exploitative) irony for ya.
ReplyDeleteWill Duchovny's detective be based on a real person?
ReplyDeleteCarol, I kinda doubt it. As Vera intimated (here on the world's worst blog), the LAPD couldn't catch a cold on this case without a snitch. Sadie broke it open for them.
ReplyDeleteWell, I watched Jimm Kimmel and there was no mention of the upcoming Manson series.....
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