FX has won the rights to and ordered a pilot of "Tyrant," the highly anticipated next project from "Homeland" exec producers Gideon Raff and Howard Gordon.
In a heated battle that included pay cablers HBO and Showtime, FX came out on top despite the fact that Showtime already had Raff and Gordon in its stable.
Craig Wright, who is currently attached to MTV's "Underemployed and was also the creator of ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money," will exec produce with Raff and Gordon. If the project receives a series order, Wright will serve as showrunner.
Another big winner was WME, which packaged the project and reps Raff, Gordon and Wright.
Similar to "Homeland," "Tyrant" has Middle Eastern implications. Story revolves around an unassuming American family who is thrust into the turbulence of that region of the world.
Raff, who created the Israeli series "Prisoners of War" that was the inspiration for "Homeland," wrote the "Tyrant" pilot. Production is set to begin in the spring.
Show is being produced by Fox 21 and Teakwood Lane, the shingle Gordon has set up at 20th Century Fox.
"The brilliant and wholly original concept just blew us all away," said Nick Grad, FX's exec VP of original programming. "It's pretty amazing when you read a script and can instantly imagine it becoming one of the best shows on television. We're grateful to the producers for choosing to bring it to FX."< Source: Variety
In a heated battle that included pay cablers HBO and Showtime, FX came out on top despite the fact that Showtime already had Raff and Gordon in its stable.
Craig Wright, who is currently attached to MTV's "Underemployed and was also the creator of ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money," will exec produce with Raff and Gordon. If the project receives a series order, Wright will serve as showrunner.
Another big winner was WME, which packaged the project and reps Raff, Gordon and Wright.
Similar to "Homeland," "Tyrant" has Middle Eastern implications. Story revolves around an unassuming American family who is thrust into the turbulence of that region of the world.
Raff, who created the Israeli series "Prisoners of War" that was the inspiration for "Homeland," wrote the "Tyrant" pilot. Production is set to begin in the spring.
Show is being produced by Fox 21 and Teakwood Lane, the shingle Gordon has set up at 20th Century Fox.
"The brilliant and wholly original concept just blew us all away," said Nick Grad, FX's exec VP of original programming. "It's pretty amazing when you read a script and can instantly imagine it becoming one of the best shows on television. We're grateful to the producers for choosing to bring it to FX."< Source: Variety
I hope Tyrant has the feeling of an FX drama and not a Howard Gordon drama... ie 24 and Homeland. Both of which were/ are a bit heavy-handed and more about drama than story in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteBeing an FX dram though I will be checking it out and expecting a solid if not spectacular cast!
Let dana die already
ReplyDeleteI really liked Dana last season and began this season still thinking that Morgan Skyler is a great young actress, but the last few episodes have made me just dislike the Dana character.
ReplyDeleteI now lose interest when she is on the screen since I can just assume she will whine and rant about Brody for a couple minutes and contribute very little to the plot.
Proud to be israeli in those days...
ReplyDeleteI need to hear more about it before making up my mind, but for the most part I love the choices FX is making with shows.
ReplyDeleteI will watch for sure, but i am excited to hear some casting news
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Let´s hope for a great cast.
ReplyDeleteMore of an FX Drama with more story than drama? Like.... Nip/Tuck ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa!
ReplyDeleteI like drama, but I like it to flow naturally and not feel enhanced, forced, or contrived. Most FX shows are good at getting the balance right IMO.
You know I can watch a lot but seeing dana with her stupid face expression tonight really made me sigh and angry. everytime she has a scene she just moans and gets angry. get over it girl. -.-
ReplyDeleteContrivance is something I'm already concerned about with this concept. A more detailed release sums up the plot a little better:
ReplyDelete"The show follows a family that gets drawn into turbulent Middle East
politics when the dictator of an Arab state dies and his American son
becomes the new head of the country."
I'm already skeptical of the plausibility of an American running a dictator-led Arab state in the Middle East. It reads more like a Will Ferrell comedy than it does a high-concept drama.
Yikes Indeed!
ReplyDeleteIt is so implausible that I can hardly believe the network ran with it....
I have a very hard time wrapping my head around an Arab dictator that has an American son... most dictators are not US-friendly. Maybe the son is "American-ized" or educated here and not actually American?
It sounds like they wanted to up the ante (in very Howard Gordon style) and instead of something believable like an Ambassador, or an American political adviser, or even a financial backer with petrol ties Gordon decided to have it center on a Dictator's son to heighten the drama despite the implausibility.... Sigh.
I'm beginning to read Gordon's name and be less interested in the project I think....
Even if we were to get past the idea of the dictator with an American son, how are we supposed to believe that ANY Middle East country would ever accept an American as their leader?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. Gordon's name is becoming more of a red flag than a catalyst for my interest.
LOL
ReplyDelete