Fox is making a big bet on an Egyptian fantasy.
The network is moving forward with a 13-episode straight to series order for Hieroglyph, a fantastical action-adventure show. The show, set in ancient Egypt, centers on a notorious thief who is plucked from prison to serve the Pharoah, navigating palace intrigue, seductive concubines, criminal underbellies and even a few divine sorcerers.
The project, which is set up at 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment, is being written by Pacific Rim’s Travis Beacham. Chernin Entertainment Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope, along with Beacham and Fringe’s Miguel Sapochnik will serve as executive producers. Sapochnik also is on board to direct the premiere episode, which is scheduled to begin production in early 2014.
“We wanted to do a show about deceit, sex, intrigue in the court and fantastical goings-on -- no better place to set that than ancient Egypt,” Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said in a statement announcing the news Thursday, adding: “Travis Beacham has an inventive mind, and he has wrapped this all together in this intoxicating new drama.”
Hieroglyph becomes the latest project ordered straight to series this development season. Fox also handed out a series commitment to Gotham, a Batman prequel series revolving around Commissioner Gordon as well as a comedy from 30 Rock trio Tina Fey, Matt Hubbard and Robert Carlock. CBS, meanwhile, has 13 episodes of Vince Gilligan and David Shore drama Battle Creek, based on a 2002 spec from the Breaking Bad creator. The network earlier this season also handed out a series order to a John Mulaney comedy that was originally developed at NBC.
More to come...
