Tandem launches Crossing Lines from Criminal Minds’ Bernero

German producer and distributor Tandem Communications has started production on action drama series Crossing Lines, produced by Criminal Minds‘ showrunner Ed Bernero and starring Donald Sutherland.

The one-hour series is produced for French commercial broadcaster and Sony Pictures Television Networks. It is Sony’s latest acquisition for its pan regional Asian network AXN following deals for The Firm and Hannibal.

Crossing Lines, which tells the story of the creation of a European FBI, is the first series to be deficit financed by Studiocanal, which acquired a stake in Tandem Communications last year.

It will star Sutherland alongside Prison Break’s William Fichtner, The Good Thief’s Marc Lavoine and Game of Thrones’ Tom Wlaschiha. It will be produced in association with TF1 Production and directed by Strike Back’s Daniel Percival.

“The world keeps getting smaller and crime less containable; it’s time that our criminal story-telling goes global, too,” says Ed Bernero. “I am convinced that an action crime drama in this setting will excite audiences around the world. The structure and pacing will feel familiar and help viewers find their orientation, but the European locations will make it feel fresh and very new.”

“Crossing Lines marks Tandem’s entry into the 1-hour drama series arena with the brilliantly talented series veteran Ed Bernero. Working together with Ed and our stellar international cast is a privilege and we know that Crossing Lines will be of the quality and event character that Tandem has always strived for,” said Rola Bauer, president and partner, Tandem Communications.