TNT has made a hefty series commitment to Paramount TV’s adaptation of Caleb Carr’s novel “The Alienist,” spearheaded by “True Detective’s” Cary Fukunaga and screenwriters Eric Roth and Hossein Amini.
The deal for the project came down on the eve of Turner Broadcasting’s upfront presentation Wednesday morning in New York. New TNT/TBS boss Kevin Reilly has promised to overhaul TNT’s original drama offerings in an effort to bring more provocative and edgy material to the cabler known for its procedural hits.
TNT is said to have made a whopping $5 million-an-episode deal for the eight-part series, a clear signal to the industry that TNT is ready to spend big for glossy properties. The exact number of episodes is still to be determined, TNT said.
“Alienist” is set in late 1800s New York City and revolves around the search for a serial killer by then-police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, a doctor and a reporter. Paramount TV began shopping the series last month.
Amini is on board to write the episodes, with Fukunaga directing and Roth producing. The trio will exec produce with Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin and Rosalie Swedlin. “Alienist” is a co-production of TNT Original Prods. and Paramount TV.
The deal marks a reunion for Reilly and Paramount Pictures chairman Brad Grey. The two worked together in the mid-1990s when Reilly headed Brillstein-Grey’s television division.
when is tales from the crypt premiering?, and when is the alienist premiering? I have become a great fan of tnt shows
Read the book when it first came out and it was amazing (as was the follow up “Angel of Death”). If they don’t change too much this should be excellent.
Woohoooo! I’ve been waiting for a movie or a series adaptation of this book for 20 years!! Great news.
Now don’t screw it up.
Go hire all the trades and designers from the crew of “The Knick.”
Well, this is good news! I guess TNT is finally hopping on the high-brow train. This will be a welcome change from their usual by-the-numbers fare. Considering how many movies/TV shows have been produced about serial killers and somehow this incredibly interesting and historically rich was overlooked amazed me. It’s about time!!
This is awesome. It’s been while since I’ve read the book but there are several actors from Boardwalk Empire who may be perfect for it.
Great news I have often wondered why this wasn’t adapted years ago . His second novel Angel of Darkness excellent also and I always for some reason envisioned it being adapted as a dark Broadway musical in the Phantom Sweeney Todd mold .