Courtesy of UTA
New writer Robert Specland created "Crooked," which received interest from multiple networks.
Fox is looking to a new writer for its next cop drama.
The network has handed out a script commitment to drama Crooked, from new writer Robert Specland.
The drama, which drew interest from multiple networks before landing at Fox, is described as a family soap with a procedural spine that explores the bonds — and corruption — of police brotherhood in New Orleans.
The drama is said to have the serialized elements of The Shield but a broadcast engine of The Blacklist. It's inspired by true events about a longtime corrupt detective who is bused and sees his cases overturned — and a thousand of the city's worst criminals released back onto the streets, one case at a time, with a mysterious outsider brought in to lead a new taskforce to clean up the streets.
Specland created the show and will exec produce the 20th Century Fox Television entry alongside Peter Horton (Grey's Anatomy).
Specland came onto the scene earlier this year with two character-driven feature specs: Nyad, based on the true story of famous swimmer Diana Nyad; and Boy Named Sue, a revenge thriller inspired by the Johnny Cash song of the same name.
The writer pitched Crooked toHorton, who has had an interest in producing premium drama after NBC's Allegiance. For Horton, Crooked is outside of his overall deal with Universal Television.
Specland is repped by UTA, Pacific View Management and Felker Toczek. Horton is with UTA and Hansen Jacobson.
This season, broadcast networks have been high on developing soaps following the success of Empire.
TV Development
