Iraq war drama deal signed

1.00pm

LOS ANGELES - Television producer Steven Bochco, co-creator of landmark cop shows Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, has signed a deal to develop a war drama set in Iraq for the FX cable network, his production company said on Wednesday.

The as-yet untitled hour-long show would mark Bochco's first series for a basic cable network, a spokeswoman for Steven Bochco Productions said.

The Emmy-winning producer is teaming up with feature screenwriter Chris Gerolmo (Mississippi Burning) to develop the script, she said.

Details of the projected series were sketchy, but entertainment trade paper Daily Variety reported the network is looking for a weekly character-driven contemporary drama that explores the lives of men and women in uniform both on and off the battlefield.

The project will be produced by Bochco's company in conjunction with Paramount Network Television, where he has a development deal.

Paramount also produced last year's original TV movie The Pentagon Papers for FX, home to the police series The Shield and the plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck.

Given the edgy nature of those two shows and Bochco's gritty portrayals of police work on Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, his latest project promises to deliver an unflinching depiction of modern combat.

For now, FX has ordered a script but has not yet given approval for production of the series, the Bochco spokeswoman said. Bochco's other credits include LA Law, Doogie Howser, MD and City of Angels.

FX is part of the Fox Entertainment Group Inc , which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp Ltd.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq