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EXCLUSIVE UPDATED: NBC has put in development Hench, a high-concept drama from Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey’s Film 44 and Universal TV. Written by Alexandra Cunningham, Hench is based on the comic by Adam Beechen and Manny Bello’s comic and centers on a regular guy who, in order to support his family, gets jobs temping for super villains. Cunningham, Berg and Aubrey executive produce.
This marks a reunion of the creative team behind NBC’s drama Prime Suspect. NBC had tried to develop an U.S. version of the iconic British series with another writer-producer, but it was the version written by TV writer/playwright Cunningham and produced by Film 44 that got to a pilot stage and attracted Maria Bello as the lead. The pilot went to series, which was well received and, despite its struggle to attract a wide audience, was a favorite of NBC brass who re-upped Cunningham and Film 44′s overall deals in March. In addition to its collaboration with Cunningham, Film 44 has an U.S. version of the Israeli drama M.I.C.E. in development at NBC for next season. Before moving to Universal TV in 2010, WME-repped Cunningham was a key writer-producer on the first six seasons of ABC’s Desperate Housewives.
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Pete Berg is the man.
It’s been done in comics before, but this could work as a series.
NBC just smells of skunk. Sell this to anyone else and I’ll sample. But until NBC shapes up, I’ll consider this a PASS.
sounds great. Love her.
This is a hysterical idea. Great concept. Thus far, very enthused about what NBC is developing.
Fingers crossed for a kickass 2013-2014 network slate.
For 2012-2013, I’ll just watch Pawn Stars and my Galactica Box set.
“High-concept Drama”? Sounds more like the idea of a low-brow comedy. NBC has had such major successes with Super Heroes before!
sounds dumber than “Battleship”
Multiple super villians? Sounds like some sort of group, or guild. Who have some sort of calamitous intent for humanity.
For reals though, the Venture Bros. has already done this, to perfection.
sounds exactly like venture brothers (great show)…would work better as comedy then, stuff like this doesnt work if it takes itself so seriously
Hank Scorpio???
Audiences aren’t quick to accept new superheroes/villains. Thought NBC would have learned this with “The Cape.”
It’s actually not a bad idea, but it seems the better approach for execution would be animated comedy. Adult Swim maybe?
Meh. I preferred this when it was a feature project set up with Danny McBride starring.
God, NBC is throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks now. No rhyme or reason, just willy-nilly. They’ve got a pirate show coming up, Hannibal the series, now this. I’m like DougW, you’d think they’d have learned with The Cape.
I read this one … GREAT story.