Frank Spotnitz, who abruptly exited Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle” just weeks ago, has landed a straight-to-series order for his new series “Ransom” from CBS, TheWrap has learned.
Spotnitz’s new series follows crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (“Black Sails” star Luke Roberts), whose team is brought in to save lives when no one else can. Eric understands criminals better than they do, and uses his insight into human behavior to resolve the most difficult kidnap and ransom cases.
“The world of crisis negotiation is incredibly compelling, as demonstrated by the fascinating real-life cases Laurent Combalbert has negotiated,” Spotnitz said. “Laurent has inspired a brilliant and complex character, and you can’t help but be moved seeing all the lives he’s saved around the world.”
“High Castle” is based on the Phillip K. Dick novel of the same name that explores a world in which Germany won World War II. Spotnitz’s exit has left Season 2 of the ambitious drama in limbo.
“Ransom,” created by David Vainola, is a Canada-France treaty co-production and will be co-produced by eOne. Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny will also produce via their Sienna Films banner along with Valerie Pechels and Odile McDonald of Wildcats Productions.
Spotnitz will executive produce through his own Big Light Productions. The show was co-developed by TF1 and Shaw Media, with the participation of the Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image Animé in France as well as Canada Media Fund, and will be produced with the financial assistance of the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
“As CBS continues to program year round, we are always looking for series that can fit seamlessly within our schedule and connect with our viewers,” said Glenn Geller, president of CBS Entertainment. “‘Ransom’ brings a compelling new approach to a character-driven crime drama with a sense of urgency and closure in each episode.”