ABC’s hit Sunday drama “Resurrection” is so crazy similar to the 2012 French Series “Les Revenants” (retitled “The Returned” when the English-subtitles version ran on IFC late last year) you’d swear “Resurrection” was the American remake of “The Returned.”
But it’s not. “Resurrection” -- which, like “The Returned,” tells the tale of long-dead people returning alive and un-aged to a small rural community -- is based on Jason Mott’s 2013 novel “Resurrection.”
Anyway, A&E has just greenlit an official American remake of “Les Revenants”:
A&E NETWORK GREENLIGHTS NEW SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES ‘THE RETURNED’ FROM A+E STUDIOS AND FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA10 EPISODE SEASON TO GO INTO PRODUCTION THIS SUMMER FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS CARLTON CUSE AND RAELLE TUCKER
New York, NY—April 29, 2014—A&E Network has given the greenlight to ten episodes of the new original scripted drama series “The Returned,” a co-production of A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. Carlton Cuse (“Bates Motel”) wrote the first episode, and he and Raelle Tucker (“True Blood”) will write and executive produce the series. Casting will begin immediately. The announcement was made today by David McKillop, General Manager and Executive Vice President of A&E Network.
“The Returned” is based on the popular and International Emmy®-award winning French suspense series adapted by Fabrice Gobert and inspired by the feature film, Les Revenants, directed by Robin Campillo. “The Returned” focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. As families are reunited, the lives of those who were left behind are challenged on a physical and emotional level. Interpersonal relationships are examined with intrigue and depth as strange phenomena begin to occur.
“’The Returned’ has the potential to be one of the most compelling drama series on cable, thanks to phenomenal scripts written by Carlton and Raelle,” said McKillop. “We look forward to seeing their vision brought to life on screen.”
Commented Thom Beers, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, “‘Les Revenants’ has proven to be both a critical and commercial success worldwide and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with A&E on this adaptation. Carlton and Raelle, the creative forces behind such fantastic television as ‘Lost’ and ‘True Blood,’ are the perfect combination to bring this complicated and provocative family drama to US audiences.”
“The Returned” is co-produced by A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America in association with Haut et Court TV SAS, the producer of the French series, for A&E Network. Executive producers are Carlton Cuse for Carlton Cuse Productions, Raelle Tucker for Angry Annie Productions and Thom Beers, Craig Cegielski and Stefanie Berk for FremantleMedia North America. FremantleMedia will distribute the series internationally, excluding the U.S. and Canada, which will be distributed by A+E Studios.
