Fox is taking a big leap.
The network has handed out a series order to The Big Leap, the Scott Foley-led drama from The Passage grad Liz Heldens.
Inspired by a U.K. format, the show-within-a-show is a dramedy about a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of Swan Lake. What this group of underdogs lack in dance training, they make up for with their edge, wit and desire to reimagine an iconic story to fit their own mold. The Big Leap is a modern tale about second chances and chasing your dreams and taking back what’s yours.
Originally ordered to pilot last year as part of the 2020-21 crop, the drama was midway through filming when the pandemic shut down production. The Big Leap was one of four drama pilots that the network ordered last season and carried over for contention for the 2021-21 broadcast season.
The Big Leap is the latest series pickup at Fox, joining Lee Daniels’ Our Kind of People, Paul Feig’s This Country and the summer entry Fantasy Island. The network also has a series order for an untitled animated comedy from Dan Harmon that is due in 2022.
As for The Big Leap, the drama is a co-production between Disney’s 20th Television — where Heldens is under a rich overall deal — and Fox Entertainment. Teri Polo, Ser’Darius Blain, Raymond Cham Jr., Jon Rudnitsky, Simone Recasner, Piper Perabo, Mallory Jansen and Kevin Daniels round out the cast. Heldens serves as showrunner and exec produces alongside pilot director Jason Winer and Sue Naegle. Winer has directed 16 comedy pilots for 20th TV, but The Big Leap is his first drama pilot.
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