A month and a half after Spike gave a pilot order to drama The Mist, based on the Stephen King novella, the project, from TWC-Dimension Television, has received a straight-to-series pickup.
The Mist, which marked Spike’s first pilot order since the network returned to the scripted space, is now looking to become the network’s first original scripted series in a decade with production slated to begin in summer 2016 for a 2017 debut.
According to the network, the decision to go straight to series was made after hearing the series pitch and reading the script for The Mist. The series order comes about three weeks after Spike put straight-to-series drama Red Mars on hold following the exit of the showrunner. Red Mars, in turn, was picked up a couple of weeks after straight-to-series drama Harvest — Spike’s first scripted series order in a decade — was scrapped while in pre-production.
The Mist tells a harrowing story about a seemingly innocuous mist that seeps into a small town and creates immense havoc. It is written and executive produced by Christian Torpe, creator of the hit Danish drama Rita, now finishing its fourth season.
“From the brilliant mind of Stephen King and the incredible production team at TWC-Dimension TV, The Mist will take audiences on a thrilling ride through a small town grappling with a mysterious and shocking horror,” said Sharon Levy, EVP, Original Series, Spike TV. “Christian and the entire team at TWC-Dimension TV have crafted the framework for a compelling and distinctive series that will resonate with Spike’s expanding audience,” said Levy.
Dimension has produced and distributed two Stephen King movies, The Mist and 1408. “We’ve had an incredible experience developing The Mist series with Christian, Sharon and her team and are eager to make this series a signature show for Spike,” said Bob Weinstein, Co-Chairman The Weinstein Company.
Megan Spanjian, EVP of Scripted TV, who was instrumental in finding and bringing Torpe to the table, will oversee the project for TWC-Dimension TV along with Matthew Signer, EVP of Production and Creative Affairs, and Keith Levine, SVP of Production and Development. Torpe is repped by ICM Partners.
Spike TV premiered its first scripted event series in eight years, Tut, last July. TWC-Dimension Television’s first scripted series Scream, is returning for a second season on MTV in May.
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