Ron Howard & Brian Grazer’s 68 Whiskey Lands with Paramount Network

Paramount Network has ordered ten one-hour episodes of 68 Whiskey, a scripted comedic drama series from Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios that will count among its EPs Oscar winners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.

68 Whiskey follows a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as Army medics to a forward operating base in Afghanistan nicknamed “The Orphanage.” It is based on the Israeli series Charlie Golf One.

Zion Rubin, the creator of Charlie Golf One, will executive produce, along with Efrat Shmaya Dror (United Studios of Israel) and Danna Stern (yes Studios). Fellow EPs include Imagine Television Group Chairman Francie Calfo (Empire, Genius), Imagine Television President Samie Kim Falvey and Emmy-nominated Roberto Benabib (Weeds, The Brink, Ally McBeal), who is also set to write.

“We’re thrilled to work with Imagine Entertainment on 68 Whiskey and have the powerhouse team of Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Roberto Benabib, who have an extraordinary track record in compelling and provocative storytelling, adapt it for an American audience,” said Keith Cox, president of development and production at Paramount Network and TV Land. “I’m a huge fan of the Israeli series from which this series is based, and the unique mixture of drama and comedy infused throughout, and know 68 Whiskey will be a great complement to Yellowstone and Emily in Paris on Paramount Network’s growing slate of scripted originals as we seek to create TV as exciting as movies.”

Howard said: “We are very pleased to be working with Kent, Keith and everyone at Paramount Network to bring 68 Whiskey to air. Roberto’s unique comedic vision for this high-stakes, emotional and timely show promises audiences something fresh and exciting.”

Benabib added: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to produce a series that echoes the dark irreverent films of the ’70s and speaks to the dark irreverent insanity of the world today.”

“As CBS Television Studios continues to expand its reach far beyond the broadcast construct, we are excited to have our first original series at Paramount Network and look forward to working with Keith and the team,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Television Studios. “68 Whiskey is an exciting drama based on a highly successful international format, and we are proud to partner with Imagine and Paramount to bring it to American viewers.”