Amazon has ordered an autism-themed “comedic drama” pilot from “Parenthood” creator Jason Katims, based on the Israeli series “On the Spectrum.”
Per its logline, “On the Spectrum” is a coming-of-age comedic drama about three 20-something roommates on the autism spectrum, striving for the same things that we all desire: To get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love, and navigate a world that eludes them. The originals series was created by Dana Idisis and Yuval Shafferman.
The project is from from Universal TV under Katims’ prior deal with his former longtime studio — in January, he signed an overall deal with Apple — as well as yesStudios, which developed the original series. Katims will write and executive produce with Jeni Mulein and yesStudios’ Danna Stern.
The executive producers of the original “On the Spectrum” series are Stern, co-creators Dana Idisis and Yuval Shafferman, Sumayoko’s Udi Segal and yesTV’s Dganit Atias Gigi and Koby Gal Raday. The series has 9 Israel Academy Awards including Best Drama, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Screenplay.
Katims is moving to Apple to summer after his deal with Universal concludes. The move reunites him with his former head of development, Michelle Lee, who is part of Apple’s creative development team, which is led by Matt Cherniss.