Hit French series The Returned (Les revenants) is getting an American remake.
A&E has nabbed rights to the supernatural/suspense drama, and the network is in discussions with Carlton Cuse, executive producer/co-showrunner of Bates Motel to take on the adaptation.
Created by Fabrice Gobert, Les Revenants was inspired by the 2004 feature film by the same name directed by Robin Campillo. It focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, having not aged and unaware of their own fatality. As they attempt to resume their lives, strange phenomena begin to occur.
"The Returned takes an incredibly unique approach, filled with suspense and twists and turns, to the subject of the living dead," said A&E's general manager David McKillop. Added FMNA CEO Thom Beers, "Having seen Fabrice Gobert's original version and the success the series has had in France, we're thrilled to be partnering with the team at A&E to bring this enigmatic thriller to U.S. audiences."
Les revenants is a hit in France, where it debuted last fall on Canal Plus, and also has done very well in the UK where it airs on Channel 4 as Rebound. A second season is slated to come out next year. Sundance Channel recently acquired the eight-episode first season for a Halloween debut, while Music Box Films is planning a January VOD/DVD U.S. release.
The premise of The Returned draws parallels to the upcoming ABC drama series Resurrection, which was based on Jason Mott's novel, also titled The Returned. There had been speculation about the similarities between Mott's debut novel, which wasn't published until this fall, and the French film & series that preceded it.
In addition to The Returned and Bates Motel season 2, former Lost co-showrunner Cuse is executive producing/showrunning FX's The Strain.
Deadline.
PS: Paul Abbott (creator of Shameless, State of Play, Hit & Miss) is developing a remake for British TV as well.
So between that British (possible) show, A&E's (possible) show and ABC's PG-13 (sort of) remake next Spring, with the original series airing on Channel 4 (UK, last Summer) and Sundance Channel (US, on October 31), Les revenants has made quite a well-deserved impact.
If you want to listen to the amazing soundtrack, here you go :
And here's the EP :
