Spike TV has added another event series to its development coffers.
The Viacom-owned cable network announced Thursday that it is developing Tut, a six-episode limited series based on the story of Tutankhamun, otherwise known as King Tut.
Tut hails from Muse Entertainment, best known for Emmy-nominated The Kennedys as well as Pillars of the Earth. The company's Joel S. Rice and Michael Prupas as well as Greg Gugliotta (The Fosters) will executive produce alongside writer Michael Vickerman (Impact) and Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (The Fosters)
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If ultimately ordered to series, the six-part entry would combine the drama, power, political backstabbing, war and murder that comprised King Tut's reign as the youngest pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The series would be based on recently discovered historical evidence about Tut.
Here's Tut's formal description: "With a backdrop of ancient Egypt in the opulent palace of the Pharaoh, dripping with gold and untold riches, a young Tut is thrust into power after the murder of his father. The neophyte ruler is forced to marry his sister in order to maintain the dynasty. Although Tut rules as pharaoh, he is controlled like a puppet by three formidable men who plot against him and vie for the throne themselves. Against all odds, Tut grows from an insecure and manipulated prince to a hero on the battlefield, leading his kingdom into war and victory. Just as he takes control of his nation and his destiny, he is betrayed."
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Tut joins five previously announced event series already in development at Spike as the male-leaning cable network prepares to re-enter scripted territory. The project comes as scripted miniseries continue to be hot properties on both broadcast and cable, with NBC also announcing plans for a Johnny Carson miniseries Thursday. Networks including History and Discovery are looking to the lower risks that are associated with miniseries as an entry point to delve into scripted fare following the success of History's Hatfields & McCoys and The Bible.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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