USA Network Bulks Up Original Programming

NEW YORK: USA Network has 13 projects in development, from the likes of Nathan Lane, Mark Gordon and Kara DioGuardi, along with a current roster of a record ten original series on air.

Upcoming projects include Silent Partner, a one-hour drama from writer/producer Chris Downey (creator of Leverage). The show features an ambulance-chasing attorney and his idealistic young paralegal. On We Go is a half-hour comedy from exec producer Nathan Lane (The Lion King, The Producers). Lane also stars in the show as an unlucky actor whose career has been cursed by the fact that he resembles, but isn’t actually, Nathan Lane. M. Deity is a one-hour medical drama about a good doctor who has a penchant for meddling. The Special takes a spin on the typical TV cop drama, as its protagonist is an optimistic, energetic homicide detective who suffers from hypomania. The one-hour series is executive produced by Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds). Big in Japan, a half-hour comedy, has former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi attached as a consulting producer. The series looks at members of popular band boy who reunite some 20 years after their last concert ended in disaster and they have never yet played together again.

Also on USA’s upcoming slate is We the Jury, a half-hour comedy about a group of jurors sequestered during a high-profile celebrity murder trial. TGIM, also a half-hour comedy, looks at the suburban cul-de-sac over a weekend, where parents’ lives are ruled by their children and they beg for Monday’s workday to come again. The Enclave is a limited series from writers Andre and Maria Jacquemetton (Mad Men). It follows a family who moves far from their hometown because of a new job opportunity, but winds up in a community where nothing is as it seems. The Exceptions is a one-hour drama about the debutante daughter of the NYC mayor who uses her resources to solve cases that have slipped through the cracks.

Further projects are Hard Cover, a one-hour drama about a middle-aged mom working with a rogue FBI agent. Also a one-hour drama, Winslow features a private detective who is a recovering alcoholic with loads of debt. The half-hour comedy House of Cards looks at a recent college graduate who is searching for love and a successful writing career at a greeting-card company. Regular Einstein is an hour-long drama, centered on a family of geniuses with three siblings each at the top of their academic fields. There’s a younger sibling, named Einstein, who is not a genius but is a good cop.

"After five years as the number one cable network, our development goal must be not only to do great new shows with original voices, but also to push the envelope of audience expectations," said Jeff Wachtel, co-president of USA. "This new slate speaks to both of those objectives."

"This powerful slate marks an evolution for USA as we aggressively expand the scope of our content," added co-president Chris McCumber. "Developed strategically through our brand lens, this diverse roster represents the network’s introduction of more provocative, innovative original programming than ever before."

USA Network has also announced a second season for its hit original series Fairly Legal, which was the top new show among those 25 to 54 and the top new drama with those 18 to 49, averaging 4.6 million total viewers. The show stars Sarah Shahi (Life, The L Word), Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica, Castle), Virginia Williams (Revenge of the Bridesmaids, How I Met Your Mother) and Baron Vaughn (The Other Guys, Law & Order).

"As Sarah’s character Kate Reed would say, this is a ‘win-win’ for USA," added McCumber. "The show offers a completely fresh twist on the genre that audiences love. There was no conflict in our decision to bring it back for a sophomore season!"