User:MiamiVolts/New Dramas 2008-2009

This article logs the summaries of new drama series that will be broadcast on the main United States networks (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, and NBC) during the 2008-2009 year.

ABC's New Dramas 2008-2009

ABC's Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 schedules have yet to be formally announced, but the following new dramas are in-production for the network:

1. SECTION 8:

Zak Penn ("X-Men: The Last Stand") has been issued a six-episode order for a new drama about a team of everyday people with advanced neurological abnormalities who work for a secret government agency. Said moniker comes from the clause used for discharge from the U.S. Army because of mental issues. Penn co-created the hour with Michael Karnow and will executive produce alongside BermanBraun's Lloyd Braun and Gail Berman. Karnow then will serve as a producer with the project itself based at ABC Studios. It's understood Penn secured the order following a well received presentation which included special effects-enhanced video of what one of the characters on the show would look like: a guy with perfect balance who throws a roll of 10 quarters that land in 10 cups of water.

2. LIFE ON MARS:
David E. Kelly's American adaption of the BBC hit. The cast is rumored to include Colm Meaney (Star Trek:Deep Space 9) and Jason O'Mara. Meaney would play Detective Hunt, the homicide-unit boss who clashes with O'Mara in this '70s PI drama. The main storyline of the BBC show revolves around a police detective (Sam Tyler) who after being struck in a car accident appears to travel back to the 1970's from present time, and while serving with the older version of his police force tries to determine whether he really went back in time, is going insane, or is in a coma and dreaming.
This show is currently scheduled to air mid-season (January 2009).

3. ATLAS:
The full name of Tom Wheeler's fantasy pilot is "Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas." The drama project, from Warner Bros. TV, is described as "Harry Potter" meets "Pan's Labyrinth." It centers on a young girl who finds a magical atlas that reveals a secret world underneath our world. The pick-up of this pilot just occurred March 28.

ABC also has a few pilots in production:

1. CASTLE:
"Castle," from ABC Studios and Beacon, is a drama penned by feature writer Andrew Marlowe ("Hollow Man") that centers on a horror novelist who is consulting for the NYPD Homicide department. Marlowe is exec producing with Beacon's Armyan Bernstein and Laurie Zaks.

2. THE UNUSUALS:
"The Unusuals," from Sony Pictures TV, is a dramedy set at a New York police precinct. Noah Hawley ("Bones") penned the script and is exec producing with Peter Tolan.

3. FINNEGAN:
"Finnegan," from ABC Studios and writer Trent Jones ("Threat Matrix"), focuses on the organized crime/vice unit in Los Angeles, which is led by a tough female detective. Jones is exec producing with Francie Calfo.

CBS's New Dramas 2008-2009

CBS's Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 schedules have yet to be formally announced, but the following new dramas are in pilot production for the network:

1. NY-LON:
"Ny-Lon," from ABC Studios, centers on a New York store clerk named Edie (Elisha Cuthbert) and a London stock broker (Will Kemp) who embark on a cross-continental romance. Caterina Scorsone ("1-800-Missing") will play Edie's roommate, a slutty, bohemian rocker. Johnny Whitworth ("CSI: Miami") will play Edie's rocker ex-boyfriend.

2. EXIT 19:
"Exit 19," from CBS Paramount and ABC Studios, stars Geena Davis as Gloria, a quirky Manhattan homicide detective who also is a single mom to two kids in the Long Island suburbs. Matthew Lillard will play Gloria's younger brother who lives with her.

3. CAN OPENERS:

"Can Openers," from Sony, centers on Susan (Lauren Lee Smith), a brain surgeon who fights to survive in the competitive boys club that is the seven-year neurosurgical residency. Jay Hernandez is set to play Barry, a third-year resident who is willing to break the rules to get what he wants and also has a thing for Susan. Eion Bailey will play a chief resident. Omar Gooding (Showtime's "Barbershop") will play Dr. Darryl Childress, a sixth-year resident suffering from burnout.

4. THE MENTALIST:
Simon Baker is set as the lead in the network's "The Mentalist," from writer Bruno Heller and director David Nutter. The Warner Bros. TV-produced "Mentalist" centers on Patrick Jane (Baker), a mentalist who uses his skills of observation to solve crimes as an independent detective working with the police. Also cast in the pilot are Owain Yeoman, Shaun Toub, Amanda Righetti and Tim Kang.

5. MYTHOLOGICAL EX:
The 20th Century Fox TV-produced "Mythological" is based on the Israeli series about a woman named Annabelle (Elizabeth Reaser) who, after learning from a psychic that she already has dated the man she's supposed to marry, revisits all her past relationships. Rachel Boston ("Hackett") will play her sassy younger sister, a professional dancer.

6. THE MEANT TO BE'S:
"Meant to Be's," from CBS Paramount, is a romantic drama about a dead woman (Amy Smart) sent back to Earth to help people improve their lives. Ioan Gruffudd will play her tour guide and mentor.

7. HARPER'S ISLAND:

From CBS Paramount and director Jon Turteltaub, "Harper's Island" is a horror story that unfolds over the course of a season as a group of friends meet on an island off the Seattle coast for a destination wedding. Ryan Merriman (CBS' "Comanche Moon") and Australian-born Samantha Noble will play the groom and the bride, while the Irish-born Elaine Cassidy will play the groom's childhood friend with a tragic past.

8. ELEVENTH HOUR:

From Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Warner Brothers and Granada Studios, "Eleventh Hour" is an American adaption from the British TV Series of the same name, which stars Patrick Stewart as Professor Ian Hood, Special Advisor to the government's Joint Sciences Committee, who troubleshoots threats stemming from or targeting "scientific endeavour." Casting is to include Rufus Sewell and Marley Shelton.

9. FLASHPOINT:

From Canada's CTV, Avmar Entertainment, and Pink Sky Entertainment, "Flashpoint", starring Enrico Colantoni, Hugh Dillon and David Paetkau, is an emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the SRU (inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force). It's a unique unit that rescues hostages, busts gangs, defuses bombs, climbs the sides of buildings and talks down suicidal teens. Members of a highly-skilled tactical team, they're also trained in negotiating, profiling and getting inside the suspect's head to diffuse the situation to try and save lives.

10. THE TOWER:
From CBS Paramount, "The Tower" is a drama about a group of Chicago reporters who treat breaking news as cases to be both investigated and solved. It is created by Meredith Stiehm ("Cold Case") and directed by Davis Guggenheim.

CW's New Dramas 2008-2009

CW's Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 schedules have yet to be formally announced, but the following new dramas are in pilot production for the network:

1. AUSTIN GOLDEN HOUR:
Justin Hartley ("Smallville") is set to star in CW's drama pilot "Austin Golden Hour." From CBS Paramount and 19 Entertainment, the show is a real-time medical drama about a team of young emergency room surgeons and emergency medical technicians.

2. HOW TO TEACH FILTHY RICH GIRLS:
Joanna Garcia (Reba) will be lead on the CW's drama pilot "How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls." Also cast in "Girls" are Lucy Hale ("Bionic Woman") and Ashley Newbrough.

3. WRECKING BALL:

From Fox TV Studios, "Wrecking Ball," is about a young politician from a well-known family dynasty. When his electoral ambitions are derailed by a scandal, a campaign aide -- with whom he has a feisty relationship -- convinces him to use his connections to help a cancer patient fighting the medical establishment. He and the aide are then inspired to open a law firm devoted to helping out seemingly lost causes. The series is co-executive produced by Richard Hatem ("Miracles") and Ross Fineman.

FOX's New Dramas 2008-2009

Fox's Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 schedules have yet to be formally announced, but the following new dramas are in pilot production for the network:

1. DOLLHOUSE:
Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse," from 20th Century Fox TV, revolves around a group of young men and women, aka "Dolls," who are imprinted with different personalities. Olivia Williams ("X-Men: The Last Stand") will play the ruthless and protective Adelle, who runs the Dollhouse. Also in the cast are Eliza Dushku, Tahmoh Penikett, Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman, and Enver Gjokaj.

2. COURTROOM K:
From 20th Century Fox TV, "Courtroom K", created by Paul Attanasio ("House"), is a darkly comedic courtroom drama which is set in a Milwaukee Superior Court and revolves around a judge, a prosecutor and a public defender.

3. THE OAKS:
From 20th Century Fox TV, "The Oaks" follows the lives of three families, in different time periods, who all occupy the same house haunted by a restless spirit. The cast includes Sienna Guillory, Matt Lanter, Shannon Lucio, Romy Rosemont, and Michael Rispoli.

4. FRINGE:
From Warner Brothers TV and Bad Robot Studios, "Fringe" is a revamp of the X-Files, about a young, tough FBI agent is forced to confront the spread of unexplained phenomena and work with a XX scientist and his son. The cast is to include Anna Torv, John Noble, and Joshua Jackson; created by J.J.Abrams and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.

5. QUEEN B:
From 20th Century Fox TV, "Queen B" is a female workplace drama that centers on a brilliant but ruthless woman who takes over a worldwide conglomerate as a CEO and corrupts a young girl with power. The project is co-created by Ryan Murphy, Richard Levine and Lyn Greene.

6. INSEPARABLE:
From ABC Television Studios, "Inseparable" is a modern-day Jekyll and Hyde tale, created by Shaun Cassidy, about a partially paralyzed forensic psychiatrist (Toby Stephens) with a split personality whose alter ego is a charismatic criminal.

NBC's New Dramas 2008-2009

On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, NBC announced its new 2008-2009 lineup including the following seven new drama series:

1. MY OWN WORST ENEMY:
Henry Spivey (Christian Slater, “Bobby”) is a middle-class efficiency expert living a humdrum life in the suburbs with a wife, two kids, a dog, and a minivan. Edward Albright is an operative who speaks 13 languages, runs a four-minute mile, and is trained to kill with his teeth. Henry and Edward are polar opposites who share only one thing in common -- the same body. When the carefully constructed wall between them breaks down, Henry and Edward are thrust into unfamiliar territory where each man is dangerously out of his element. “My Own Worst Enemy” explores the duality of a man who is literally pitted against himself. And it raises the question: who can you trust when you can't trust yourself? The series is produced by Universal Media Studios. Jason Smilovic (“Kidnapped”) is the executive producer; David Semel (director of the “American Dreams,” “Heroes” and “Life” pilots) is the director and executive producer.
New content features will include an alter ego game, dossiers on supporting characters, an archive of Edward and Henry video messages to each other and a split site (suburbs v. international intrigue).

2. KNIGHT RIDER:
On the heels of NBC's hit movie, the iconic 1980s television classic comes roaring back to life as an updated drama series showcasing the new customized KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) Ford Mustang. As the sequel resumes, KITT is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body -- thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology -- is capable of actually shifting shape and color. It is the ultimate car -- and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it. "Knight Rider" stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars") and Bruce Davison ("Breach"). David Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C."), Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") and Gary Scott Thompson (“Las Vegas,” “The Fast and The Furious”) are executive producers and David Andron serves as supervising producer and writer. Based on characters created by Glen Larson, “Knight Rider” is from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.
Fans of the show will find a "KITT" My Ride feature, weekly KITT voicemails to mobile subscribers, talking KITT e-cards and streaming full episodes.

3. CRUSOE:
Based on the legendary novel by Daniel Defoe, this is the tale of Robinson Crusoe. A young man leaves his true love to embark on an adventure -- only to end up shipwrecked on a remote tropical island for 28 years, completely detached from the life he once knew. His desire to return to his wife and his strong and unlikely friendship with Friday are the only things that keep him sane. While stranded, Crusoe encounters enemies and braves the elements. Equal parts “MacGyver,” “Castaway” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” this series is an inspirational tale of survival rife with action and comedy. "Crusoe" is produced by Power. Juston Bodle is the executive producer.
Digital features will include extended flashback scenes, an interactive adventure game, Crusoe's diary and full episode streaming.

4. KINGS:
“Kings” is an inspiring exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle. The show is set in a modern metropolis under siege where the fighting has gone on for too long and cost far too many lives. When David Shepherd (Christopher Egan, “Resident Evil: Extinction”), a brave young soldier, rescues the king’s (Golden Globe winner Ian McShane, “Deadwood”) son from enemy territory, he sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. Suddenly, David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women -- including the king’s daughter. When he’s promoted to captain, he becomes the reluctant poster boy for hope. But for David, the line between his allies and enemies will blur as the power players in the kingdom go to great lengths to see him fall. From the director (Francis Lawrence) of the blockbuster movie “I Am Legend” comes the ultimate story of David vs. Goliath, and there’s no telling who will win. Sebastian Stan (“Gossip Girl”) also stars. “Kings” is a production of Universal Media Studios; Michael Green (NBC’s “Heroes”) is the executive producer. Francis Lawrence (“I Am Legend”) is the director and executive producer and Erwin Stoff (“I Am Legend”) also is executive producer.
Digital features will include city sites for Shiloh, Gilboah and Gath, creating a deeper experience for the user. Additionally, viewers will find videos about the King's ascension to power, a family history expose and full streaming episodes.

5. MERLIN:
“Merlin” brings to life a new legend for a modern audience. “Merlin” is an exciting, hour-long fantasy series set in the mythic city of Camelot -- but inspired by 21st Century storytelling. Before Merlin (Colin Morgan, “Doctor Who”) and Arthur (Bradley James, “Lewis”) became legends, they were ambitious young men looking for adventure, hoping to live up to their family’s expectations, discovering love and finding their own true destiny, making mistakes along the way. The innovative, action-packed drama has cross-generational appeal and paints a picture of Merlin and Arthur’s early life that audiences have never witnessed before. Anthony Head (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Richard Wilson (“A Passage to India”), Angel Coulby (“Magicians”) and Katie McGrath (“The Tudors”) also star. A FremantleMedia Enterprises distribution of a Shine production for BBC.
Digital features will include Merlin's diary and Spells for Everyday Life.

6. THE PHILANTHROPIST:
This one-hour drama is about a rebel with a cause. Teddy Rist loves women, money and power. After the tragic death of his only child, Teddy has an awakening and becomes the world's first vigilante philanthropist -- a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need. He'll do anything to achieve his goals -- bargain with the self-righteous, trade with the nefarious and even tell the truth. Instead of spending $25,000 a plate at a fundraiser, he’s dodging bullets in third-world countries to hand-deliver vaccine. It's a global adventure that will take viewers to the ends of the Earth and will inspire them as well. "The Philanthropist" is produced by Universal Media Studios, Original Media and the Levinson/Fontana Company. Tom Fontana ("Homicide: Life on the Street"), Barry Levinson (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) and Charlie Corwin ("L.A. Ink") are the executive producers; Jim Juvonen is a co-executive producer.
In addition to full streaming episodes, users will find Giving Back tips, Teddy's Lifestyle game and money tracker files.

7. THE LISTENER:

In this one-hour drama, Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik, “The Runaway”) is a 24-year-old paramedic living with a secret: he can read people’s minds. This telepathic procedural takes viewers into the heart of a tortured hero who struggles to solve crimes with his unique gift. Week-to-week, “The Listener” balances high-stakes drama with irreverent humor and sends Toby on an intellectual and emotional adventure. Ennis Esmer (“The Path to 9/11”) also stars. “The Listener” is a production of Program Partners and Shaftesbury Films. The executive producers are Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Michael Amo, Russ Cochrane, Glen Davis and Bill Laurin.

Notes

• The pilot info. is sourced from Hollywood Reporter and Variety articles; unnamed dramas are not included.
• The NBC information comprises information from two NBC Universal Media Village articles: one that lists the new series and their summaries; and another that lists the online content for each new and returning show.
• This article is not intended for the main namespace.
• If included on another page, only the confirmed for broadcast series are meant to appear.