History is lining up its next miniseries.
The A&E Networks-owned cabler is developing a potential miniseries based on the life of master illusionist Harry Houdini, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
As first reported by EW, Adrien Brody is attached to star in the period project centering on Houdini's life and his rise to fame.
Gerald W. Abrams (Nuremberg, Modern Marvels) will executive produce the project for History. The project is a co-production from Abrams' Cypress Point Productions and History.
Brody, who won the best actor Oscar for his role in 2002's The Pianist, would play the magician and mark his first scripted TV appearance since the 1990s, when he appeared in the TV movie Bullet Hearts.
Houdini (working title) comes as History has found both critical and ratings success with its longform entries. The Bible recently concluded its 10-episode run with a two-hour finale that averaged 11.7 million viewers, boosting History's first scripted series, Vikings. Last summer's Hatfields & McCoys shattered network records over the course of its three-day run and concluded with 14.3 million total viewers. It was nominated for 16 Emmys, taking home wins for lead actor Kevin Costner and supporting actor Tom Berenger, among others.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
