CBC forms Council with NBCU

Canadian public broadcaster CBC is working up an international thriller series with Law and Order showrunner René Balcer and NBCUniversal.

The Council will be produced by Comcast Communications-owned NBCU International, plus Lark Productions (Motive), the Canadian producer it backs, and Keston International Productions. NBCU International Television Production will handle global rights.

The series will follow an investigation into a ritualistic killing in an isolated Arctic outpost that spirals into an international conspiracy over control of natural resources.

Showrunner and writer Balcer lived in the Canadian Arctic as a college student, and has had a lifelong interest in the Arctic and its indigenous Inuit population.

“There isn’t a writer who is a better fit for this show than René,” said JoAnn Alfano, executive VP of scripted programming, NBCUITVP. “He has a unique ability to weave complex mysteries with character-based drama. His personal connection to the story and knowledge of the arctic and Inuit culture will bring a unmatched level of authenticity.”

Louise Clark and Erin Haskett of Lark, and Trevor Walton and Denis Coyne of Keston executive produce.