Paramount Network Greenlights New Michael Chiklis Series

Paramount Network has greenlit Sony Pictures Television’s Coyote, with Emmy-winning actor Michael Chiklis set to star and executive produce.

Emmy-winning producer and director Michelle MacLaren (Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad) will serve as EP and direct the pilot. The ten-episode Coyote is the story of Ben Clemens (Chiklis), who, after 32 years as a border patrol agent, is forced to work for the very people he spent his career trying to keep out of America. Now exposed to life on the other side of the wall, Ben starts to question his views of the world, challenging his ideology and his loyalties.

From Sony Pictures Television, MacLaren Entertainment and Dark Horse Entertainment, the series is slated to premiere in 2020. David Graziano (American Gods, Southland) will serve as showrunner, with Graziano, Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert (Mr. Woodcock) attached to write and executive produce. Dark Horse Entertainment’s Mike Richardson and Keith Goldberg (The Umbrella Academy) are also executive producers, alongside Rebecca Hobbs of MacLaren Entertainment.

Keith Cox, president of development at Paramount Network and TV Land, commented, “The powerful, timely setting and complex characters are a perfect fit with the rest of our growing scripted slate. Coyote is befitting of the strong Paramount name.”

“We are incredibly excited to be working with this creative powerhouse of a team and beyond thrilled to have Michael Chiklis back in our Sony family,” said Jason Clodfelter, co-president of Sony Pictures Television.

Richardson, Dark Horse Entertainment’s president and founder, added: “While most of our shows and movies come from our own library, in Coyote, we found an original idea and character that were undeniable and attracted this incredible creative team. We are genuine fans of Michael Chiklis and Michelle MacLaren, and we couldn’t be more excited about this show.”