A&E takes US version of The Returned to series

A&E has ordered a ten-episode US version of hit French drama series The Returned.

The US cable network’s original content unit, A+E Studios, will coproduce the series with Fremantlemedia North America and Haut et Cort, which made the original French show. Lost writer Carlton Cuse will pen and exec produce the US version alongside Raelle Tucker (True Blood).

A&E originally started developing The Returned last October. The French version (pictured), Les Revenants, was a big hit for Canal+.

It sold well internationally with Zodiak Rights on distribution duty and striking deals with Channel 4 in the UK, Space in Canada and SBS in Australia among others.

FremantleMedia International will distribute the US version of the show. It follows events in a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear.

Thom Beers, CEO, FremantleMedia North America said: “Carlton and Raelle, the creative forces behind such fantastic television as Lost and True Blood, are the perfect combination to bring this complicated and provocative family drama to US audiences.”