Starz Eyes Futuristic Detective Drama From 'Chronicle' Producer (Exclusive)

11:39 AM PST 12/7/2012 by Lacey Rose

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"Human Error," from playwright Philip Gawthorne and producer Adam Schroeder, centers on a veteran detective who is paired with an artificial human known as a "synthetic."

Starz

Starz is heading back into sci-fi territory.

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The premium cable network is developing the drama Human Error, set in the near future where artificial humans known as “synthetics" are being phased into the civilian sector. A veteran human detective is paired with one such synth and is tasked with a seemingly simple case that ultimately leads to a larger conspiracy.

British screenwriter-playwright Philip Gawthorne will pen the project, with Adam Schroeder (Chronicle, Zoolander, The Truman Show) and Ray Donovan's Bryan Zuriff attached as executive producers. If ultimately ordered to series, Human Error would mark Gawthorne's first stateside TV project. His sci-fi fantasy Assimilation Protocol and rom-com Modern Life Is Rubbish, adapted from his acclaimed play, are being developed for the big screen.

The news comes as Starz continues to bulk up its original efforts, particularly key as the network is set to lose its portfolio of Disney films in 2016. Starz is scheduled to launch at least four scripted efforts in 2013, including the final season of Spartacus, season two of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Magic City, freshman period drama Da Vinci's Demons and new limited series The White Queen with Janet McTeer. Starz also is developing sci-fi action thriller Incursion from Spartacus' Steven S. DeKnight, about a group of soldiers caught in a war against a hostile alien race.