Starz is heading back into sci-fi territory.
The premium cable network is set to develop drama effort, Human Error, set in the near future where artificial humans known as “synthetics" are being phased into the civilian sector. A veteran human detective is paired with one such synth and is tasked with a seemingly simple case that ultimately leads to a larger conspiracy.
British screenwriter/playwright Philip Gawthorne will pen the project, with Adam Schroeder (Chronicle, Zoolander, Truman Show) and Ray Donovan's Bryan Zuriff attached as executive producers. If ultimately ordered to series, this would mark Gawthorne's first stateside TV project. His sci-fi fantasy Assimilation Protocol and rom-com Modern Life is Rubbish, adapted from his acclaimed play, are currently being developed for the big screen.
The news comes as Starz continues to bulk up its original efforts, particularly key as the net is set to loose its portfolio of Disney films in 2016. The net is scheduled to launch at least four scripted efforts in 2013, including the final season of Spartacus, season two of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Magic City, period drama Da Vinci's Demons and limited series The White Queen with Janet McTeer. Starz is also developing sci-fi action thriller Incursion from Spartacus' Steven S. DeKnight about a group of soldiers caught in a war against a hostile alien race.
Gawthorne is repped by CAA and Fourth Floor Productions.
Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose
