'Lost' Producer Joins 'Pan Am' as Showrunner

Sony Pictures Television/Patrick Harbron

"Pan Am"

Pan Am is bulking up its behind the scenes team, adding longtime showrunner Steven Maeda.

After spending an estimated $10 million on the ambitious 1960s airline drama, the rookie ABC series from Sony Pictures Television has struggled in its 10 p.m. Sunday slot.

Maeda, whose credits include Lie to Me and Lost, will serve as showrunner and EP, joining creator and EP Jack Orman and director/executive producer Tommy Schlamme behind the scenes of the Christina Ricci drama about the mysterious lives of the airline's pilots and stewardess.

ABC has yet to make a decision on whether or not the pricey drama will receive a back-nine order; the network has already picked up rookie drama Revenge and comedy Suburgatory, while drama entry Charlie's Angels has been canceled.

Behind the scenes, the studio and network are making an extra push of late in promoting the series, which has continued to shed viewership after premiering to 10.8 million viewers and a 3.1 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic.

ABC rolled out its new Sunday night lineup this week with freshman fantasy drama Once Upon a Time opening strong, but the 8 p.m. opener failed to boost the airline drama at 10 p.m. as Pan Am slid to a 1.8 rating and 5.7 million viewers.

Madea's credits also include CSI: Miami, The X-Files and, more recently, The Forgotten.

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