Carlton Cuse’s American adaptation of hit French series The Returned has been picked up with a 10-episode order and a summer production start. The Returned is a unique take on the zombie genre and the North American debut of the original French series placed in the top five of Eclipse’s Favorite Fifteen + 5 earlier this year.
Cuse wrote the first episode of the new take on The Returned and will write and produce the series with Raelle Tucker (True Blood) for A&E. For more details, check out the press release following the jump.
A&E NETWORK GREENLIGHTS NEW SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES ‘THE RETURNED’ FROM A+E STUDIOS AND FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA
10 EPISODE SEASON TO GO INTO PRODUCTION THIS SUMMER FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS CARLTON CUSE AND RAELLE TUCKER
New York, NY—April 29, 2014—A&E Network has given the greenlight to ten episodes of the new original scripted drama series “The Returned,” a co-production of A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. Carlton Cuse (“Bates Motel”) wrote the first episode, and he and Raelle Tucker (“True Blood”) will write and executive produce the series. Casting will begin immediately. The announcement was made today by David McKillop, General Manager and Executive Vice President of A&E Network.
“The Returned” is based on the popular and International Emmy®-award winning French suspense series adapted by Fabrice Gobert and inspired by the feature film, Les Revenants, directed by Robin Campillo. “The Returned” focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. As families are reunited, the lives of those who were left behind are challenged on a physical and emotional level. Interpersonal relationships are examined with intrigue and depth as strange phenomena begin to occur.
“’The Returned’ has the potential to be one of the most compelling drama series on cable, thanks to phenomenal scripts written by Carlton and Raelle,” said McKillop. “We look forward to seeing their vision brought to life on screen.”
Commented Thom Beers, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, “‘Les Revenants’ has proven to be both a critical and commercial success worldwide and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with A&E on this adaptation. Carlton and Raelle, the creative forces behind such fantastic television as ‘Lost’ and ‘True Blood,’ are the perfect combination to bring this complicated and provocative family drama to US audiences.”
“The Returned” is co-produced by A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America in association with Haut et Court TV SAS, the producer of the French series, for A&E Network. Executive producers are Carlton Cuse for Carlton Cuse Productions, Raelle Tucker for Angry Annie Productions and Thom Beers, Craig Cegielski and Stefanie Berk for FremantleMedia North America. FremantleMedia will distribute the series internationally, excluding the U.S. and Canada, which will be distributed by A+E Studios.
About A&E Network
Now reaching 100 million homes, A&E is the home to 100% original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality, uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network’s original scripted series, including “Bates Motel” and “Longmire” to signature non-fiction franchises, including “Duck Dynasty,” “Beyond Scared Straight” and “Storage Wars.” The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information and photography please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.
About A+E Studios
A+E Studios is the in-house production arm of the award-winning global media company A+E Networks, LLC. A+E Studios commissions, creates and co-produces content across all networks and platforms under the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E® Network, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, LMN®, FYI™, H2™ and A&E IndieFilms®.
About FremantleMedia North America
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids & family entertainment business. As one of the world’s largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of TV brands in the world, FremantleMedia’s comprehensive global network has operations in 25 countries, creating over 8500 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 400 individual titles. FMNA and its portfolio of companies, including Original Productions and 495 Productions, produce entertaining and innovative scripted and alternative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms. Their slate includes a diverse range of both critically-acclaimed and award-winning successes including “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Family Feud,” “Let’s Make A Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” “The Tomorrow People,” “Deadliest Catch,” “Married to Medicine,” “Party Down South,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “Storage Wars” “The Pet Collective,” and the upcoming “Celebrity Name Game,” among others.