USA Network Unveils Development Slate, Welcomes WWE SmackDown

NEW YORK: USA Network has outlined its 2015-16 development slate, which features nine new scripted drama projects, and also announced that WWE SmackDown will be joining the network in Q1 2016.

USA Network now becomes the exclusive home to WWE marquee properties. It airs Monday Night Raw live 52 weeks a year and the reality competition series WWE Tough Enough. With more than 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind Monday Night Raw.

Among the projects on the network's new development slate are Paradise Pictures, a show from the creator of Suits about people striving to get to the top in 1940s Hollywood; Starchitects, a workplace drama set in the world of international architecture and design; and Amped, based on the characters created for an upcoming comic book by Eric Kripke (Supernatural, Revolution). USA Network also lined up The Tap, a historical spy thriller. Charlize Theron is attached as executive producer on the serialized adventure Mythos. AWOL, which deals with the world of an ex-military operative, and Swamplandia!, based on Karen Russell's best-selling novel, are moving into development as well. Rounding out the drama development slate are Cooley & the Tank, which goes behind the scenes of a fictional 1981 detective drama; Mile High, which follows two best friends who are trying to capitalize on the newly legalized cannabis enterprise in Colorado; and the limited series The Recessionistas, based on the book by Wall Street exec Alexandra Lebethal about a group of elite Manhattan women and their ruthless banking husbands. Additionally, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson signed on to develop and executive produce an unscripted series for the network, along with Danny Garcia, under their label 7 Bucks Productions.

On the heels of the success of the breakout reality hit Chrisley Knows Best, USA Network has made two new Chrisley pilot commitments. Through a deal with Embassy Row, the network is developing a late-night talk show pilot hosted by Todd Chrisley. With partner Maverick TV, USA will develop a spin-off pilot around the Chrisley family.