John Wells Productions Adapting Pair of Books

Walter Mosley will adapt his "Easy Rawlins" series for NBC, while ABC is developing Carol Wolper's "Anne of Hollywood" novel.

1:06 PM PDT 9/12/2011 by Lesley Goldberg

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John Wells

John Wells is putting his focus back on broadcast.

John Wells Productions, the prolific writer-producer’s production company, has sold a pair of book-based projects to NBC and ABC.

NBC is developing a drama project based on author Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins best-sellers. Mosley will adapt the books, which revolve around Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a black World War II veteran living in Watts who investigates crimes against other people of color in Los Angeles and take place from the 1940s to 1960s.

Southland co-executive producer Cheo Coker will co-write the project.

STORY: 5 Questions for John Wells

Meanwhile, ABC is developing a drama based on Carol Wolper’s Ann of Hollywood novel, with Wolper on board to adapt the project, which is described as a contemporary take on the The Other Boleyn Girl. The books follow Anne Boleyn as she navigates modern day Los Angeles and woos Henry, a billionaire-turned-film producer.

Wells, whose recent credits include the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce and the Showtime drama Shameless, has a history with NBC, which aired both ER and Third Watch.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit