Issue 13 FEA Jeremy Renner - H 2012
Kurt IswarienkoHistory is adding a second scripted series to its roster.
The A+E Networks-owned cable network announced Wednesday at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour that it has picked up drama Knightfall to series.
The drama, which counts actor Jeremy Renner among its exec producers, was put in development in March. It chronicles the events and persecution of the Knights of Templar. The 10-episode straight-to-series drama will debut in late 2016. Renner will guest star and possibly recur.
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The series follows the events leading up to and following the persecution, downfall and burning at the stake of the Knights of Templar on Friday the 13th, 1307, offering an in-depth look at why the date, more than 700 years later, remains cursed.
The drama is produced in-house by A+E Studios in association with Renner and Don Handfield’s production company The Combine and Midnight Radio.
Handfield (The Founder) and Richard Rayner (L.A. Without a Map) teamed with Renner to create the drama. All three will exec produce alongside Midnight Radio’s Jeff Pinkner (Fringe), Andre Nemec (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg. History’s Jana Bennett, Arturo Interian and Russ McCarroll will oversee.
Knightfall marks History’s second scripted drama series and the first ordered under new GM Bennett, who replaced Dirk Hoogstra in September.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jeremy Renner, The Combine, Midnight Radio and A+E Studios to tell the intriguing story of the Knights Templar, which has been shrouded in mystery until now,” said A&E and History president Paul Buccieri. “Premium scripted content continues to be a growing part of the History portfolio, with an eye towards quality historical fact-based storytelling, and Knightfall is the perfect fit for our brand.”
