Nippon TV & Envision’s CONNECTED Lands U.S. Option

Tomorrow Studios has optioned CONNECTED: The Homebound Detective, the Japanese crime drama format from Envision Entertainment and Nippon TV, for a U.S. adaptation.

Envision Entertainment and Nippon TV will co-produce the U.S. version with Tomorrow Studios. The scripted format follows an agoraphobic young man who finds a tribe of online sleuths after being laid off, eventually being enlisted by local authorities to help solve crimes.

The Japanese version topped the viewership charts on catch-up service TVer and Hulu Japan earlier this year. The format was created by Itaru Mizuno, Nippon TV’s creative director, and Michael Nakan, the CEO and founder of Envision Entertainment.

Nakan said: “We are delighted that Tomorrow Studios has partnered with us to produce the U.S. version of CONNECTED; it confirms my belief that the format has great potential, with its unique global structure. We look forward to launching similar formats with Nippon TV and other global broadcasters in coming years.”

Marty Adelstein, CEO of Tomorrow Studios, a partnership with ITV Studios, added, “CONNECTED is an already successful format that furthers our development slate of compelling storytelling for a global television audience. We’re excited to work with Envision Entertainment and Nippon TV on the U.S. adaptation of this great series.”

Mikiko Nishiyama, executive VP of international business development at Nippon TV, stated, “CONNECTED is perfect for today’s world that is defined by hybrid communication styles, and Tomorrow Studios is a wonderful partner in expanding this innovative story with a U.S. version. I cannot wait to work on the development of this English-language version with bold ideas from the top creators at Tomorrow Studios, Nippon TV and the Envision Entertainment.”