USA Network has announced it has ordered four scripted dramas to pilot, including one set in the Jason Bourne Universe as well as a new series co-created and starring Denis Leary. The new pilots come from Universal Cable Productions, and are described in detail below:
First up is Treadstone, a project that explores the origin story and present-day actions of a CIA black ops program known as Treadstone, a covert operation that uses behavior modification protocol to turn its agents into nearly unstoppable superhuman assassins. Jason Bourne, the central character in Universal Pictures’ Bourne film franchise, was a product of the program. The series follows new sleeper agents across the globe as they’re mysteriously “awakened” to resume their deadly missions.
Heroes creator Tim Kring serves as the writer and executive producer. Ramin Bahrani will direct the pilot and also serve as an executive producer. Ben Smith and Jeffery Weiner will executive produce on behalf of Captivate. Justin Levy will executive produce alongside Bradley Thomas for Imperative Entertainment.
Denis Leary is bringing another dark comedy to life as co-creator and star in the pilot Erase. Leary will play Donal O’Neal, a dirty ex-cop who decides to do the right thing and bring down his complicit superior officers. But his best weapon in this battle, a photographic memory, is suddenly compromised by symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Donal must now race against time to repair the damage he’s done to his estranged family while trying to avoid being killed by his enemies. Alex Cary co-created along with Leary, with both serving as executive producers. Apostle Pictures’ Jim Serpico will also executive produce.
The third USA Network pilot is titled Briarpatch and is based on the Ross Thomas novel of the same name. The series follows Allegra Dill, a dogged investigator returning to her border-town Texas home after her sister is murdered by a car bomb. What begins as a search for a killer turns into a fight to bring the corrupt hometown Allegra thought she left behind to its knees.
Andy Greenwald serves as writer and executive producer for Briarpatch, with Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail also executive producing through his production company, Esmail Corp. Anonymous Content’s Chad Hamilton will also executive produce. Yann Demange will direct and serve as executive producer. The series is a co-production of Universal Cable Productions and Paramount Television.
Last but not least is Dare Me, another pilot being adapted from a novel, this time by author Megan Abbott. It’s a series that dives into the cutthroat world of competitive high school cheerleading in a small Midwestern town through the eyes of two best friends after a new coach arrives to bring their team to prominence. Abbott serves as writer and executive producer along with Gina Fattore. Peter Berg and Michael Lombardo will also executive produce via Film 44 along with Sarah Condon and Karen Rosenfelt. Universal Cable Productions will produce in association with Film 44.
Chris McCumber, president of entertainment networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, said: “As the #1 cable entertainment network for a record 12 years in a row, USA Network delivers unmatched scale and momentum with a broad, diverse slate of programming. These new pilots add to our dynamic scripted pipeline with the big auspices, top creative talent and bold characters that have become USA’s signature.”
The news was first reported by Variety.
