Starz commissions GK-TV to produce Camelot

US cable network Starz has commissioned GK-TV, Graham King’s recently launched TV production company Graham King, to produce 10-part drama Camelot.

The series, which will be executive produced by The Tudors creator Michael Hirst, marks the first original drama commissioned by former HBO boss Chris Albrecht since his move to the Liberty Media-owned pay broadcaster.

The show is the first project from GK-TV, which announced its intentions to move into the TV business last year with the hire of former Lionsgate international boss Craig Cegielski. GK-TV will distribute the series internationally.

Camelot, which is a contemporary retelling of the legend of King Arthur is an international coproduction, produced by UK indie Ecosse Films, Irish producer Octago and Canada’s Take 5 Productions. It will be written by Torchwood and Merlin writer Chris Chibnall.

The series, which is set to air in 2011, will sit alongside Starz’s latest  original production Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Tandem Communications’ event miniseries The Pillars of the Earth.