Nashville’s Steve Buchanan Lands New Series with The Cry Producer

Synchronicity Films is partnering with music executive, executive producer and multi-hyphenate Steve Buchanan (Nashville) on the series Shepherd’s Retreat.

The 8×1-hour series is a mystery thriller with a musical identity, set in a small Scottish village. Shepherd’s Retreat will feature original songs covering a range of musical styles—from Scottish folk to its American musical descendants.

In the series, the body of a local musician is discovered in the harbor opposite the local village pub, casting suspicion on everyone, not least a stranger recently arrived in town. Despite his intention to seek solace in a place he thought could heal him, the stranger will be forced to join forces with a local cop to solve the town’s mystery. And along the way, he might just save himself.

Buchanan conceived and executive produced Nashville, the prime-time drama starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere that ran for six seasons.

Synchronicity produced the award-winning drama series The Cry for BBC One and is developing a TV series based on Heather Morris’ best-selling novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Buchanan, president of Steadibeat, said: “Claire Mundell and Synchronicity are the perfect producing partner to help bring this show to life. We plan to capture the same authenticity and dramatic flair that is true to Scotland that we found with Nashville.”

Claire Mundell, managing director and creative director of Synchronicity, said: “We’re thrilled that Steve chose to bring Shepherd’s Retreat to Synchronicity and we’re excited to be developing a show with a modern twist to a much-loved genre. Shepherd’s Retreat is an evocative, soulful, compelling drama with all of the best elements of a mystery thriller, taken into a new realm by music rooted in Scotland’s enigmatic rural landscape.”