Courtesy of Lionsgate TV
Mark Schwahn will continue to serve as showrunner on the E! scripted drama.
The Royals creator is putting down his roots.
Mark Schwahn has signed a multiple-year overall deal with The Royals producers Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate TV, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Under the deal, Schwahn will continue to serve as writer, exec producer and showrunner on E!'s first original scripted drama series. He'll also develop new scripted programming that will be co-produced by Lionsgate Television and Universal Cable Productions — the producers on The Royals.
The news should come as little surprise after E! has shown early faith in The Royals. Ahead of its series debut, the NBCUniversal-owned network renewed the drama for a second season. The cabler did the same before its sophomore run, picking up the Elizabeth Hurley starrer for a third run.
"Mark knows how to create compelling and dynamic television that helps build networks, and he also knows how to develop characters and expand the worlds in which they live over many seasons," Lionsgate TV Group chairman Kevin Beggs said. "We are huge fans of his reign on The Royals and are very excited about what he will develop next as part of his new first-look deal."
"We love what Mark continues to do with The Royals, he has a natural talent for weaving drama with pop culture and creating sensational characters with mass appeal. We look forward to more of his signature storytelling as part of our new deal," said Jeff Wachtel, chief content officer at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and president of UCP.
Schwahn's credits include The WB/CW's One Tree Hill — which ran for nine seasons with nearly 200 episodes. His feature credits include 35 Miles From Normal, The Perfect Score, Whatever It Takes and Coach Carter.
"The quality and history at both Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions speaks for itself. I'm very honored to be a small part of that," Schwahn said. "Both studios foster a creative environment that I hope to call home for years to come. Working with the cast and the crew of The Royals is immensely enjoyable, and the support from E! has been smart and gracious, as well. It's a nice place to be."
Schwahn is repped by WME and Morris Yorn.
TV Development The Royals
