Dick Wolf & Zayn Malik Plot One Direction-Inspired Series

UNIVERSAL CITY: Former One Direction member Zayn Malik is working with Dick Wolf on a new drama for NBC that charts the formation of a hugely successful boy band and the pressure that follows.

Malik, Dick and Noelle Wolf of Wolf Entertainment, Len Blavatnik’s Unigram and First Access Entertainment have formed a creative partnership with Universal Television to develop the series under the title Boys. The project will feature original music.

Sherri Cooper Landsman and Jennifer Levin will write. Noelle Wolf brought the project to NBC with Amanda Ghost (Unigram), Gregor Cameron (Unigram) and Sarah Stennett (First Access Entertainment) attached. Stennett will serve as executive music producer and, in partnership with NBCUniversal, will manage all music rights created in the series.

“It’s exciting to be diving into this project with such passionate and prolific producers,” said Jennifer Salke, the president of NBC Entertainment. “Zayn certainly brings an authentic point of view to this world where kids are catapulted into fame at a dizzying speed. On top of our excitement around the creative ideas being discussed, we have a lot of respect for the musical and digital ambitions behind the project.”

“We were intrigued by the synergistic potential that Zayn brings to the project,” Noelle Wolf said. “Boys will be a show that’s totally integrated on broadcast and digital platforms. Casting and original music will be major components, giving the show promotional potential on multiple levels.”

“Dick Wolf is a legend,” Malik added, “and the opportunity to work with him and NBC to create a compelling drama series is awesome.”