News brief: Starz making US version of Italian mob series

US cable net Starz has greenlit a local version of Italian mob drama Romanzo Criminale.

The Italian series was made by Cattleya for Sky Italia.

Spartacus creator Steven S. DeKnight will serve as showrunner and Lionsgate will produce. Former ABC boss Steve McPherson will exec produce.

The US version of the show will move the action from Rome in the 70s and 80s to Philadelphia in the 60s.

Starz confirmed to TBI that a US version of the show is in development. Deadline was the first to report the news.