AMC and Endemol remaking UK cop drama Low Winter Sun

AMC is making a US version of UK cop miniseries Low Winter Sun and has also greenlit a new legal drama.

The British Low Winter Sun was a two-part miniseries that Endemol-owned Tiger Aspect made for commercial broadcaster Channel 4 for in 2006. The story of a pair of policeman who murder one of their colleagues, it was well received and won several awards.

The pilot for the US version, which will be set in Detroit, will be made by AMC and Endemol USA. Greg Brenman, head of drama at Tiger Aspect will oversee the project alongside Endemol Studios’ head of creative affairs, Jeremy Gold. Chris Mundy (Criminal Minds) will be the showrunner on the series.

AMC has also ordered an as yet unnamed legal drama from Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King) and Tony Goldwyn (Dexter). It will tell the story of a district attorney who finds new evidence that leads to a notorious murder case being reopened.

The orders mark the first time that the cable net has greenlit two scripted series at the same time and follow the channel’s annual ‘bake off‘.

“Both of these shows represent an opportunity to continue what our existing scripted series have established so well – a commitment to great writing, and shows that tackle complex characters in a genuine and authentic way,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s executive VP of original programming, production and digital content.

He added: “Richard and Tony have collaborated on an explosive piece of storytelling that explores race and capital punishment in a way that transcends the legal genre; and Chris has captured the strength and intensity of the source material to create a muscular, Detroit-based character piece that explores the themes of such diverse stories as Crime and Punishment and Heat.”