Bryan Singer is developing “World War III,” a drama series for Spike TV, the cabler announced Tuesday.
“World War III” will follow one man with a troubled past who will galvanize a resistance movement, calling upon ordinary citizens to become the heroes of WWIII. When the world’s geopolitical balance shifts and the next global conflict explodes, America’s heartland will become Occupied Territory. Along with the “X-Men” director, the series hails from Benay Bros. and Bad Hat Harry with writer-creators Aaron and Matthew Benay.
As part of Spike’s push into scripted territory, the cable net also announced four more scripted series in development.
“Our slate is indicative of our goal to be a network that creates high-quality and dynamic scripted entertainment with a distinctive edge and point of view,” said Sharon Levy, exec vice president of original series at Spike.
Psychological horror series “Bad Medicine” centers around a man in pain who is miraculously cured by a brilliant, but unconventional doctor who specializes in clinical trials. The man goes all out to help this doctor find more breakthrough cures, only to realize that there are deadly consequences to the work the doctor does. The series hails from Momentum TV with writer Aaron Mendelsohn and exec producer Nick Hamm.
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“Hummel & Howe” is a period drama on Spike’s development slate. Set in the late 19th century Gilded Age in New York City, the series revolves around the wild cases and lives of William Howe and Abraham Hummel, two criminals desperate to escape their past who become the greatest criminal defense attorneys in American history. The project is written by Andy Bellin and produced by Scott Aversano and Tom Gormican of Additional Dialogue and Endemol Shine Studios.
“Mr. In Between” focuses on a high-stakes courier who traffics in sensitive information between people for whom privacy is a matter of life and death. The show is based on a story story by novelist Walter Mosley, who will produce with Diane Houslin.
“Secret America” explores a society where the threat of terrorism has turned the U.S. government into an autocratic state. Set in the near future, the show will chronicle the lives of one family, as they fight for survival in a world where everyone is watched and no one can be fully trusted, and where patriotism is demanded, not earned. Alcon Television’s Sharon Hall will serve as exec producer with Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson; Josh Goldin and Rachel Abramowitz will serve as writers; and Jaume Collet-Serra will direct.
