'True Blood's' Alan Ball Producing Original Series for Cinemax

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Cinemax has taken a big step in its push for more original programming by ordering a new series from True Blood creator and executive producer, Alan Ball, a network spokesperson confirms to The Hollywood Reporter.

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According to the Los Angeles Times, Ball will executive produce the new series for HBO’s sister network titled Banshee.

It’s set in Pennsylvania Amish country and features a mysterious ex-con and martial arts expert. Somehow, the shady figure is able to pose as the small town’s murdered sheriff. While enforcing his own “brand of justice,” he’ll also use the position to “serve his own interests.” In a departure from True Blood, the series won’t include any supernatural aspects.

Ball, whose other major credits include Six Feet Under, is developing the series with writers Jonathan Tropper (writer of the bestselling novel, The Book of Joe) and David Schickler (writer of the novel, Sweet and Vicious), who brought the idea to him. Cinemax is currently working on financing and casting with the hope of going into production on the series in the spring. The new show is not expected to interrupt Ball's work on True Blood.

The network begins its original programming push with Friday's premiere of Strike Back. It’s also currently developing a series based on the Transporter film franchise.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

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