Endemol inks pact with Kingdom creator

Endemol Studios has tied writer and showrunner Byron Balasco into a first-look deal.

Balasco is the creator of Endemol-produced Kingdom, the straight-to-series MMA drama satellite platform DirecTV is launching on October 8.

Under terms of his two-year deal with Endemol’s US drama studio he will develop and supervise new projects. The pact marks Endemol Studios’ first overall writers deal of its kind.

“Byron Balasco is a supremely talented writer who has earned the admiration of everyone on our team with his signature brand of gritty, humorous, heartfelt writing,” said Philippe Maigret, CEO, Endemol Studios. “We knew we wanted to be in business with him under an exclusive deal just weeks into production on “Kingdom.”

Balasco’s CV includes writing and producing credits on Detroit 1-8-7, Huff and Without a Trace.