USA Network has ordered three pilots from “Burn Notice,” “Hell on Wheels” and “Warm Bodies” writer/producers. All three orders are cast-contingent.
The cable channel goes back to the “Burn Notice” well with creator Matt Nix for his medical drama, “Complications,” from Fox Television Studios.
The other two pilots come from Fox 21. First, there’s “The Novice,” about a college graduate who finds that he’s called to the criminal life, which is created by Joe and Tony Gayton (“Hell on Wheels”). And “Rush,” which will be written and produced by Jonathan Levine (“Warm Bodies”).
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“These pilots illustrate our continued commitment to creating the next evolution of powerful original dramas for which USA is well known,” said USA Network president Chris McCumber. “This particular mix of dramas comes from some of the top writers and producers in the industry, each of whom bring a distinct point of view and unique talent for developing high stakes storylines and compelling characters.”
The green light for “Complications” was expected. Last month, Nix told TheWrap, “We’re sort of moving forward to casting and thinking about actually doing it. So, the indications seem to be good at USA.” “Burn Notice” recently wrapped its final season. At the time, Nix also said that a spin-off of the spy show is something that he’d definitely like to do, though he hasn’t been approached to write it yet.
The three pilot orders join USA’s previously announced pilot pick-up for Universal Cable Production’s untitled Sean Jablonski project, which is written and executive produced by Jablonski (“Suits,” “Nip/Tuck”) and executive produced by Russ Krasnoff (“Community”). Period alien drama, “Horizon,” from executive producer Gale Ann Hurd (“Walking Dead”) and writer and co-executive producer Bridget Tyler (“Burn Notice”) is currently in production.
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See USA’s full descriptions for the newly greenlit pilots below:
COMPLICATIONS (working title) — After wrapping seven seasons of the popular series BURN NOTICE, Nix brings his next offering to the network with this gritty medical drama. The project centers around John Ellis, a disillusioned suburban ER doctor, who finds his existence transformed when he intervenes in a drive-by shooting, saving a young boy’s life and killing one of his attackers. When he learns the boy is still marked for death he finds himself compelled to save him at any cost and discovers that his life and his outlook on medicine may never be the same. COMPLICATIONS is written and executive produced by Nix and is from Fox Television Studios.
NOVICE (working title) — It’s no secret that today’s college graduates face the most difficult job market ever. The drama NOVICE takes the audience on the journey of a young man who finds that his true calling may be a life of crime. After repeatedly trying to break into corporate America, Kyle Jones returns home to his economically struggling family and his high school restaurant job, but minimum wage isn’t going to help with his family’s debt. So, while it is out of necessity that he seizes an unexpected opportunity to make money with a Korean crime family, it appears that this new life may have its perks as well. NOVICE is written by Joe and Tony Gayton, the creators of “Hell on Wheels,” and executive produced by the 21 Laps/Adelstein team of Marty Adelstein, Shawn Levy, and Becky Clements and New Wave Entertainment’s Matt Ochacher. The project is from FOX 21.
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RUSH (working title) — Writer/director Levine (“Warm Bodies,” “The Wackness”) along with Fox 21 and Little Engine’s Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo (“The Gates,” “Popular”) is the team behind the fast paced Hollywood drama, RUSH. Dr. William Rush is not your average on-call doctor — he’s not attached to any hospital, he’s highly discreet no matter what the ailment as long as the client can pay his cash-only premium and the doctor can party with the best of them. He has no desire to change his life or how he lives it, until an old flame and his conscience begin to stir things up.