BBC America Makes First Scripted Order

NEW YORK: BBC America has ordered its first original scripted drama series, Copper, a Cineflix Studios production.

The ten-episode series centers on a young Irish cop who is operating in the immigrant communities of 19th century New York. The show is co-created by Tom Fontana (OZ, Homicide: Life on the Street) and Will Rokos (Southland, Monster’s Ball). Fontana and Rokos will executive produce alongside Barry Levinson (Good Morning, Vietnam) and Christina Wayne (executive in charge of Mad Men at AMC) of Cineflix Studios.

Copper will head into production in the fall for delivery in summer 2012.

Perry Simon, the general manager for BBC America, said: “Copper is a great fit for BBC America, capturing the early American multicultural experience in provocative, ground-breaking fashion. In the spirit of great BBC drama it’s brimming with fascinating and complex characters giving us the opportunity to cast the best actors from both sides of the Atlantic. I’m delighted to be working with Tom and Barry again, together with Will, Christina and the talented team at Cineflix Studios. We could not be in better hands for BBC America’s first dramatic series.”

“BBC America is the ideal home for Copper in the U.S.,” added Glen Salzman, the CEO of Cineflix. “Cineflix Studios has put together an amazing team for this series, some of the best in the business, who will produce compelling television with widespread international appeal. We look forward to starting production in a few months and continuing to ramp up our scripted programming slate.”