Kurt Sutter, Former 'Hell on Wheels' Showrunner Developing Horror Drama at FX

Kurt Sutter

FX is expanding its relationship with Kurt Sutter.

our editor recommends

'Sons of Anarchy' Creator Kurt Sutter Writing Half-Hour Comedy for FX

'Hell on Wheels' on Hold as AMC Searches for New Showrunner

The cable network said Tuesday that it is developing an action horror drama from the Sons of Anarchy boss and former Hell on Wheels showrunner John Shiban.

A dark action/horror drama with both episodic and serialized elements, Lucas Stand follows the salvation quest of a damaged former special ops soldier who has been chosen to traverse time and place to hunt down and kill hell's law-breaking demons.

The project falls under Sutter's recent three-year overall deal with Fox 21, under which he and wife Katey Sagal -- a Golden Globe winner for her role on Sons -- and Belle Zwerdling also are developing a dark comedy at FX titled Diva. Clown. Killer. That project centers on former '80s rock diva (Sagal) whose son is a party clown who doubles as an assassin. 

Both development projects come as Sutter eyes an end to FX's Sons of Anarchy after its seventh season. The series ranks as FX's highest-rated ever, with the recently concluded fifth season its highest-rated yet, averaging more than 6.3 million total viewers, with 4.35 million in the key adults 18-49 demographic. Season five episodes frequently trumped broadcast fare in the 10 p.m. Tuesday slot. 

For Shiban, Lucas Stand marks his first effort with FX and comes after he stepped down as showrunner on AMC's Hell on Wheels. He had been with the period drama since its first season and was poised to take over as showrunner for creators Joe and Tony Gayton, who exited the series when their contract was not picked up.

"I'm very proud of our work on Hell on Wheels and was thrilled to hear the show would have a season three," Shiban said in November. "I have since made the difficult decision that the time has come for me to leave. I care deeply about the series and will do whatever I can to aid in the transition to ensure the continued success of the show. I truly value all the time I have spent with this wonderful group of very talented people."

Shiban's credits also include Breaking Bad, The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural.

Sutter is repped by ICM Partners and Gendler & Kelly. 

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