Six Pilots Get Amazon Greenlight

SEATTLE: Chris Carter's The After and the book-based Bosch are among the six pilots that have been greenlit as Prime Instant Video originals by Amazon Studios.

“We had a tremendous response to Amazon Studios’ latest pilots—in fact, double the number of customers watched these pilots compared to our first season and they posted thousands of heartfelt reviews with pleas for us to continue these shows,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios. “Now the fun really begins—Amazon will be working with some of the most talented casts and creators in the business to bring six new shows exclusively to tens of millions of Prime members worldwide. These series, along with our summer kids programming, will give customers a lot of viewing choices.”

The After from Chris Carter follows eight strangers who are thrown together by mysterious forces and must help each other survive in a violent world that defies explanation. Bosch is based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling book series about a relentless LAPD homicide detective (Titus Welliver).

The six greenlights also include two half-hour comedies. Mozart in the Jungle stars Gael García Bernal and Malcolm McDowell, among others, and is penned by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Alex Timbers and Paul Weitz. Transparent features a cast that includes Jeffrey Tambor and Gaby Hoffmann.

Rounding out the pickups are two kids' series: Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street for the 6-to-11 set and Wishenpoof! for preschoolers. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is a live-action adventure show created by David Anaxagoras, a preschool teacher and first-time writer who was discovered through Amazon Studios’ open-door submission process. Wishenpoof! is written by Angela Santomero, creator of Blue’s Clues and Super Why!. Amazon's first three kids' series, Creative Galaxy, Tumble Leaf and Annedroids, launch this summer.

In related news, Amazon Studios has renewed its original comedy Alpha House, written by Garry Trudeau, for a second season. Price noted: “More than 6,000 customers gave the show a perfect five-star rating and have posted glowing, witty and compelling reviews asking for a second season. We’re excited to begin production and keep the story about these senators alive.”