WE TV Eyes Expansion Into Scripted Programming With Series Order To AMC’s LaGravenese/Goldwyn Drama Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: AMC Networks‘ female-focused WEtv is looking to follow in the footsteps of siblings AMC, IFC and Sundance Channel by moving into original scripted series. I hear WE is getting help in its plans from AMC, whose untitled Richard LaGravenese/Tony Goldwyn drama project is eyed to become WE’s first scripted series. (The cable network also is exploring other scripted ideas.) I hear WE is considering a nine-episode order to the LaGravenese/Goldwyn project, originally ordered as a pilot by AMC last year. It is a legal thriller centered on a district attorney (Damon Gupton) who uncovers new evidence that prompts the reinvestigation of a sensational murder case. It explores race, capital punishment, personal morality and how people struggle with the shades of gray found in the absence of a simple, ordered moral universe. I hear the potential series order is contingent on finding a showrunner as David Manson, who ran the pilot at AMC, has since moved to Netflix’s House Of Cards as executive producer. LaGravenese wrote and Goldwyn directed the pilot, which the two executive produced, with Andrew Sugarman serving as a co-executive producer. Marin Ireland, Clarke Peters and Aunjanue Ellis co-star in the pilot, which didn’t get a series pickup in December alongside Low Winter Sun but was left in contention. WE, which like AMC started off airing commercial-free movies, currently has its scheduled dominated by unscripted series, led by flagship Braxton Family Values.

AMC, the first AMC Networks channel to break into original scripted programming, has been assisting its siblings in their scripted efforts. For instance, encores of Sundance’s Rectify air behind Mad Men on AMC, while repeats of AMC’s Breaking Bad air on Sundance. On WE, one of the network’s first hits, Bridezillas, is coming back this month for a 10th and final season, with spinoff series Marriage Boot Camp: Bridezillas also debuting this month.

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