ABC Unscripted Series to Examine 911 Call-Takers

ABC has ordered the new unscripted series Emergency Call for a fall debut, to be hosted by Luke Wilson.

Produced by 8HOURS TELEVISION, Emergency Call is an hour-long show documenting the first few crucial minutes of emergencies told through the lens of America’s heroic 911 call-takers. The series is set to premiere September 28 on ABC.

“Since I was a kid, I have always been interested in people who help. People who save people,” said Wilson. “When you’re younger, you might be drawn toward superheroes or fictional characters, but as you get older you come to realize that people who help, real-life heroes, are just regular people who do extraordinary things. 911 call takers don’t just save people; they calm and console people until they are safe. They are the first link in the chain of first responders. For that, I feel very lucky to be a part of this project.”

“An estimated 240 million calls are made every year to 911 call centers across the country,” said Karey Burke, president of ABC Entertainment. “While we often hear about some of these stories on the news, we rarely hear about the heroes that are the first point of contact and at times, essential to saving a life. Emergency Call shines a light on these mysterious and brave voices who are driven by their desire to help; and Luke Wilson is the consummate host, navigating us through these extraordinary situations, which will have you on the edge of your seat.”

It is based on an original format by De Chinezen and licensed by Lineup Industries.