AMC orders new scripted dramas

AMC, the US cable network that is home to Mad Men and Breaking Bad, has added two scripted dramas to its latest development slate.

The broadcaster, which also airs zombie thriller The Walking Dead, has ordered 1980s themed Halt & Catch Fire and period drama Turn. Both pilots have been ordered from AMC Studios, the company’s own production division, and will join police drama Low Winter Sun and an untitled legal drama from Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King) and Tony Goldwyn (Dexter) on its slate.

Halt & Catch Fire, which is produced by Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein, producers of Breaking Bad, is set in the early 1980s and dramatises the personal computing boom through the ideas of a Bill Gates-esque character. It was created by Chris Cantwell and Chris Rodgers.

Meanwhile, Turn, is based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington’s Spies and is set in 1778 and tells the story of a New York farmer who forms The Culper Ring, a group of unlikely spies fighting for independence. It is written by Nikita’s Craig Silverstein and exec produced by Bones’ Barry Josephson.

Joel Stillerman, EVP, original programming, production and digital content, AMC, Susie Fitzgerald, SVP, scripted development and current programming, AMC and Jason Fisher, SVP, production, AMC, will oversee the development and production of these pilots.

“These additional pilot orders demonstrate AMC’s investment in our original scripted programming,” said Fitzgerald. “Both of these projects take the audience into unique worlds through compelling characters told with an original voice. We are so fortunate to be working with such exceptional talent on both of these projects.”