News brief: FX orders Guillermo del Toro drama series

FX has ordered Strain, a thirteen-part original series based upon the vampire book series by Guillermo del Toro.

The series will follow a doctor heading up a disease control unit as a mysterious virus breaks out, infecting people with an ancient strain of vampirism.

Production starts in Toronto next month and the US cable net will transmit the original drama from next July. Carlton Cuse (Lost) is writer, producer and showrunner.

Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, who co-wrote the books, penned the pilot episode and will exec produce the series. Del Toro directed the pilot.