ABC orders Cannes-bound Bryan Singer drama

US broadcaster ABC has given a straight-to-series order to The Black Box, an upcoming drama that has producers including House’s Bryan Singer attached.

The series will star Kelly Reilly (Above Suspicion) as a neurosurgeon whose connection with her patient’s brains help her unravel their stories away from the operating table. Vanessa Redgrave (Mission: Impossible) and Terry Kinney (Oz). Amy Holden Jones is the series’ writer and executive produces along with Hollywood director Singer, Anne Thomopoulos, Oly Obst and Ilene Chaiken, the latter of whom is showrunner.

Sierra/Engine Television is launching the Bold Films-produced series in Cannes. Tele München Gruppe has come onboard as German-speaking Europe distribution partner, while Modern Times Group has pre-bought it for Scandinavi. ABC has given the 13-episode series a primetime commitment and production begins in October in New York.

Chris Philip, CEO for Sierra/Engine Television (pictured), said: “As the show’s early pre-sales demonstrate, today’s international marketplace is willing to get in on the ground level on a daring new US network series with a tremendously talented group of people.”

Jakob Mejlhede, senior VP, acquisitions and programming for MTG, added: “We are certain that a series with such a strong premise will attract many viewers in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and are naturally happy to have acquired the rights at this early stage.”