FX is expanding its relationship with Kurt Sutter.
The cable network on Tuesday announced that it is developing an action horror drama from the Sons of Anarchy boss and former Hell on Wheels showrunner John Shiban.
Lucas Stand is a dark action/horror drama with both episodic and serialized elements and follows the salvation quest of a damaged former special ops soldier, who has been chosen to traverse time and place to hunt down and kill Hell's law-breaking demons.
The project falls under Sutter's recent three-year overall deal with FX, under which he and Sons' Katey Sagal and Belle Zwerdling are also developing a dark comedy at FX titled Diva. Clown. Killer. That project centers on a clown, former '80s rock diva (Sagal) with a son who also doubles as an assassin.
Both development projects come as Sutter eyes an end for FX's Sons of Anarchy. The showrunner has said that the biker drama could likely end after its seventh season. The series ranks as FX's highest-rated ever, with the recently concluded fifth season its highest-rated yet, averaging more than 6.3 million total viewers, with 4.35 million in the key adults 18-49 demographic. Season five episodes frequently trumped broadcast fare in the time slot.
For Shiban, Lucas Stand marks his first effort with FX and comes after he stepped down as showrunner on AMC's Hell on Wheels. He had been with the Western since its first season and was poised to take over as showrunner for creators Joe and Tony Gayton, who exited the series when their contract was not picked up.
"I'm very proud of our work on Hell on Wheels and was thrilled to hear the show would have a season three. I have since made the difficult decision that the time has come for me to leave," Shiban said in a statement in November. "I care deeply about the series and will do whatever I can to aid in the transition to ensure the continued success of the show. I truly value all the time I have spent with this wonderful group of very talented people."
Sutter is repped by ICM Partners and Gendler & Kelly. Shiban, whose credits also include Breaking Bad, The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural.
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