If Shonda Rhimes is the Queen of Primetime Soaps right now, Carlton Cuse is cable's King of Genre. The former Lost co-showrunner currently has three other series on the air (or almost on the air): the creepy and atmospheric Bates Motel on A&E, upcoming zombie-esque series The Returned (also on A&E), and FX's crazy vampire series The Strain.
Now, Cuse will be launching a fourth series. USA has picked up a 10-episode order for Colony, which Cuse is writing and producing alongside Ryan Condal (Hercules). The series is set to star fellow Lost alum Josh Holloway, as well as Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead).
Colony takes place in a slightly futuristic Los Angeles, which is under extraterrestrial occupation. There is a struggle between those who collaborate with the occupiers, and those who attempt to rebel.
According to the press release, USA President Chris McCumber said of the project,
"Carlton and Ryan have created an intriguing ride that uniquely provides a humanistic take. Josh and Sarah have incredible on-screen chemistry and brilliantly play a couple making tough choices to protect their family in an uncertain world.”
The series sounds like it could have elements of several Syfy shows of the past and present, including Battlestar Galactica and Defiance (especially since so far, we have no clue yet what these "outsiders" are like -- little green men? Humanoid cylons? Talking bears?) Given Cuse's track record with his other series currently on the air, even if Colony isn't great, it should still be entertaining. The pickup also shows a change-up for USA, which used to focus mostly on comedy; Colony is the fifth drama series USA plans to launch this year.
Check out the full press release:
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- February 3, 2015 -- USA Network announced today the series pick-up and 10-episode order of the series COLONY. This naturalistic drama is a co-production between Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions and is written and executive produced by Carlton Cuse (“Lost,” “Bates Motel”) and Ryan Condal (“Hercules”). COLONY stars Josh Holloway (“Lost”) and Sarah Wayne Callies (“The Walking Dead”). Academy award winner Juan José Campanella (“Halt and Catch Fire”) directed and also executive produced the pilot. COLONY will shoot in Los Angeles.
The pick-up marks the fourth new series to be added to USA’s 2015 schedule and joins the previously announced intense hacker drama MR. ROBOT, starring Christian Slater (“Adderall Diaries”) and Rami Malek (“24”); the event series DIG, an international murder mystery starring Jason Isaacs (“Awake”) and Anne Heche (“Save Me”) from executive producers Tim Kring (“Heroes”) and Gideon Raff (“Homeland”); and the unpredictable thriller, COMPLICATIONS, from executive producer Matt Nix (BURN NOTICE) and starring Jason O’Mara (“The Good Wife”) and Jessica Szohr (“Gossip Girl”).
“Carlton and Ryan have created an intriguing ride that uniquely provides a humanistic take on a story set in the near future,” said Chris McCumber, President of USA Network. “Josh and Sarah have incredible on-screen chemistry and brilliantly play a couple making tough choices to protect their family in an uncertain world.”
COLONY centers on a family torn by opposing forces and making difficult decisions as they balance staying together with surviving the struggle of the human race. Set in the near future, the story takes place in Los Angeles, which exists in a state of occupation by a force of outside intruders. Some people choose to collaborate with the authorities and benefit from the new order, while others rebel and suffer the consequences.
About USA Network
USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com.
About Legendary Entertainment
Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. Through complete or joint ownership, Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world's most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $9 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com.
About Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. UCP’s content library spans classics such as Emmy-award winning, “Monk,” and critic and fan favorites “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and “Warehouse 13.” In the U.S., UCP’s programming can be seen across various networks, including: “Dig” (March 2015), “Playing House,” “Royal Pains,” “Satisfaction” and “Suits” on USA Network; “Ascension,” “Defiance,” “Dominion,” and “12 Monkeys” on Syfy; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” on Bravo; “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray; and “Side Effects” on Awesomeness TV/YouTube. Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.