USA Network Greenlights Comedies, Stocks Drama Development Slate

NEW YORK: USA Network has greenlit its first original half-hour comedies, including a series order for Denis Leary’s Sirens, alongside unveiling an original drama development slate that includes projects from Gale Anne Hurd, John Legend and others.

Sirens, from Leary (Rescue Me) and Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers), is based on a U.K. format. The network also went for Playing House, a single-camera buddy comedy from Jessica St. Clair (Bridesmaids) and Lennon Parham (Best Friends Forever). It also gave a pilot order for Love is Dead, centered on a company that specializes in breaking up romantic relationships. The pilot is from Universal Cable Productions and Gaumont International Television.

The new series will debut in the first quarter of 2014, complementing the off-net launch of Modern Family.

“This is the right time to be introducing half hour original comedies to the USA audience. With Modern Family joining our lineup in the fall, we can leverage television’s most popular comedy to serve as a powerful launch pad for new originals in this genre,” said Chris McCumber, co-president of USA Network. “Our new series come from some of the best comedic talent in the business, and reflect USA’s style—with great characters, strong execution and compelling storytelling,” added Jeff Wachtel, co-president of USA Network.

There are a number of new dramas for USA as well. The network announced the start of production on Horizon, a period piece from executive producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead). The network’s newest original drama, Graceland, from White Collar creator Jeff Eastin, is leading off the summer schedule, which also features Suits, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs and Necessary Roughness.

The newly unveiled drama slate includes The Arrangement, with a pilot under consideration. It comes from Numb3rs creators Cheryl Heuton and Nicolas Falacci. The Edge is from Universal Cable Productions and executive producer John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co. Complications comes from Burn Notice creator Matt Nix and is the story of an ER doctor whose life changes after he is involved in a gang shooting. Bank centers on a young FBI agent who enters the bank crimes division in Los Angeles. Blanco County is based on a series of books by Ben Rehder. It is written by Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars).

There’s also Don’t Turn Around, a haunting limited series; Hungry, from Royal Pains executive producer Michael Rauch and restaurateur Joe Bastianich; and Shadow Counsel, a project from Barry Schindel (Castle) and executive produced by David Semel (Hemlock Grove, American Horror Story).

“We have an incredibly strong pipeline of new drama in development from a collection of top writers in the industry, many of whom have enjoyed a successful track record at USA,” said Wachtel. “Our drama development slate represents a broad range of themes, and ensures USA will continue to have a powerful mix of its dynamic originals as we plan for the future,” said McCumber.