TNT Greenlights 'Dallas' to Series

Martin Schoeller/TNT

TNT has given the greenlight to Dallas.

The cable network, which just renewed Falling Skies for a second season, has ordered 10 episodes which will begin airing in the summer of 2012.

Based on the popular television series that aired from 1978 to 1991, the Texas-set series from Warner Horizon Television centers on bitter rivalries and family power struggles wtihin a Texas oil and cattle-ranching dynasty.

Dallas stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Brenda Strong. Joining them will be Dallas vet Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray.

“TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of Dallas for several years, but it wasn’t until we read Cynthia Cidre’s outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies.

TNT will preview Dallas on Monday with a sneak peek during the season openers of The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles.

Executive producer Cynthia Cidre (The Mambo Kings, Cane) wrote the pilot, based on the original series created by David Jacobs. Director Michael M. Robin helmed the pilot and will executive produce.

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