Fox picks up new series ahead of Upfronts

US network Fox has picked up a number of drama and comedy pilots including Shawn Ryan-produced police drama RideAlong ahead of next week’s Upfronts.

This continues this year’s trend for the networks to pick up pilots to order ahead of the annual Upfronts events, which are designed to impress advertisers. NBC, announced last week a number of drama pick ups including JJ Abrams’ Undercovers and Jerry Bruckheimer’s Chase.

The News Corp-owned network has picked up Texas-based oil drama Midland, which will be likely retitled Lone Star, single camera comedies Traffic Light, which is based on an Israeli scripted format, Keep Hope Alive, from My Name Is Earl creator Greg Garcia, and Wilde Kingdom, created by Arrested Development alumni Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett, as well as Chicago cop drama RideAlong from The Shield creator Ryan.

All of the shows picked up have been produced by 20^th Century Fox TV except for Wilde Kingdom, which has been produced by Lionsgate. The network is expected to pick up one or two more series including Steven Spielberg dinosaur drama Terra Nova, produced in association with Peter Chernin’s nascent production company.

Separately, the network has renewed psychological drama Lie To Me for a third season and Warner Bros-produced comic book adaptation Human Target for a second season.