TANDEM, Callie Khouri & T Bone Burnett Working on Music-Driven Drama

LOS ANGELES/MUNICH/MIAMI: TANDEM Productions is developing a Miami-set, music-driven ensemble drama series in partnership with Callie Khouri and T Bone Burnett.

The series, Deep City, is created by writer/producer Juan Carlos Coto (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Nikita, 24), who also serves as executive producer. Fellow EPs are Khouri (Nashville, Thelma & Louise), an Academy Award-winning producer, writer and director; Burnett (True Detective, Crazy Heart), an Academy Award-winning music producer; Tim Halkin, TANDEM’s managing director; and Rola Bauer, STUDIOCANAL TV’s managing director.

Deep City will be distributed internationally by STUDIOCANAL. Universal Music Group (UMG) is attached as music partner on the show.

Bauer said, “Miami inspired me greatly for Deep City. This new generation has put down roots amid a continually exploding cross section of cultures—American, European, Asian, Russian and of course Latin American. The city politically and socially embodies what is happening in the world around us. Our talented partners were also inspired: from the prolific T Bone, Callie’s strong female voice and Juan Carlos’ vision of Miami, together with STUDIOCANAL’s full studio backing and UMG’s support, we are sure to make Deep City an addictive series that will have huge appeal on the global stage.”

“When people think of Miami, they’re often thinking Miami Beach,” said Coto. “That’s all good, but we want to explore the other narratives this city has to offer. The way Midtown’s exploded in the last decade—music, art, food, everything—it’s a whole new way for Miami to tell its story all over again. This is a city that is constantly reinventing itself.”

“Put simply, this is a show about the new American dream,” said Coto. “And it’s a dream project for me. I’ve been writing and producing TV for more than twenty years, and every chance I get, I look to create a show in Miami.”

Khouri commented: “The most important issues today are around race and immigration, globalism vs. tribalism. If you had to locate the intersection of those four points on a map, you would be in Miami. Then add music, dance and the city where people come to remake their lives into their version of the American dream—that’s our show.”

“I love digging into the rich history of Miami music, with its mix of Rhythm and Blues, Afro-Caribbean and South American vibes,” said Burnett. “I love the sound of the place and the colors of the place. It is a world intersection. A profound border town.”

Halkin added, “We are thrilled to partner on this series with the immensely talented Callie and T Bone, who are fusing their very special gifts with Juan Carlos’ expert storytelling, under the auspices of TANDEM’s significant experience in big international co-productions.”