NBC developing "Midnight, Texas" from True Blood books author

[Specter313]

NBC to adapt Midnight, Texas books from Charlaine Harris

Her Sookie Stackhouse novels became HBO's mega-hit 'True Blood'

Best-selling author Charlaine Harris – whose addictive Sookie Stackhouse novels became HBO’s sexy vampire hit True Blood – may soon be seeing more of her spooky tales adapted for primetime.

EW has learned exclusively that NBC is developing a drama for fall 2016 that will be based on Harris’ best-selling series Midnight, Texas, which focuses on a fictitious and very creepy town in the Lone Star state.

“It’s where humans and the supernatural co-exist, and where everyone has a secret,” says executive producer David Janollari (Six Feet Under), who is adapting the books with Monica Breen (Lost) for fall 2016. “It’s equal parts humorous, sexy, and downright scary.”

The first book in the series, Midnight Crossroad, was published last year, while a follow-up, Day Shift, was released in May. The third, Night Shift, is to set debut next spring. If picked up to series, the drama will be called Midnight, Texas.

“All the books have great murders at the center,” Janollari says. “There are these great secrets and great romantic entanglements happening with this big mystery backdrop, though it’s the supernatural that will scare the hell out of you.”

True Blood launched in 2008 with a marquee star in Oscar winner Anna Paquin, but Janollari doesn’t think Midnight will be a challenge to cast. “It’s not dependent on above-the-title names to be successful,” he says. “In Charlaine’s books, its first and foremost all about the characters.”

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/29/midnight-texas-charlaine-harris-nbc


This could be interesting. Especially since the series has blended all her other books into the same universe, with characters from each appearing in the Texas one, several from the Sookie books.

 

[Sawyer]

Jesus, finally one of the broadcast networks puts something into development that isn't a remake of a movie from 1987.

 

[Specter313]

Ordered to series.

 

[Sawyer]

Like the look of those pics.

 

[Mogwai]

This has my attention.

 

[Sawyer]

 

[Specter313]

Arielle Kebbel is a definite plus, and could really do the character of Olivia justice.

Glad to see Dylan Bruce getting more work after Orphan Black. Was never the best actor on that show, but really next to some of the talent there most people would look the same, but he seems like a nice guy and decent enough actor and should fit with the Bobo character.

They certainly changed the looks of Manfred and Lemuel though. Manfred is rather skinny and pale, not a big deal to change, but always had a distinctive look of being covered in tattoos and piercings. Guess that wasn't nice enough of a look for the character who would be one of the leads of the show. Lemuel was also white and pale, but here they made him black. Again, not a problem, but they'll likely have to change his backstory some with how his origin was in the books. Also the actor played a vamp on True Blood, so it makes me wonder if they'll tie this show into that universe like the books tied all of Harris' series together in the same universe.

Not sure how what I think of them making the angel wings into their arms as well.

 

[Sawyer]

Premieres July 25
[YT]ztFsr4O0jF4[/YT]

If this was only hitting at the tail-end of the season (late April or May), I'd say this was DOA, but it being strictly summer, I wonder if it might stick around should they put up decent numbers.

 

[scarlet-witch]

Did Harris piss of her fans of this series like she did the Sookie Stackhouse novels?

 

[carrrnuttt]

Anyone watch this?

Pilot was decent. I'm certainly intrigued enough to see where this is going.

 

[Teelie]

Totally forgot about it until I saw the bump.

 

[carrrnuttt]

Totally forgot about it until I saw the bump.

I watched it on Hulu.

 

[Primal Slayer]

It was ok. Wasn't bad but it was basic enough that it could improve so ill continue watching.

 

[rashad]

I enjoyed the hell out of it. Definitely looking forward to the next episode.

This Season Trailer

[YT]yCrfj9ONj08[/YT]

 

[Morg]

Didn't really grab me, doubt I'll stick around watching it

 

[RockSP]

It was ok. Wasn't bad but it was basic enough that it could improve so ill continue watching.

This.

 

[Quasar]

It was alright. I'll watch a couple more eps at least.

 

[carrrnuttt]

I don't know if anyone else has been watching this, but this show has hit its stride for me in the last few episodes.

 

[Teelie]

Been watching it and I agree, it is hitting its stride. I just hope it does well enough to get renewed.

 

[rashad]

‘Midnight, Texas’ Renewed For Season 2 By NBC With New Showrunners, Two Cast Members Not Returning

It’s taken awhile, but NBC has given a second-season renewal to supernatural drama Midnight, Texas, which launched this past summer.

There will be a change at the helm of the series from Universal Television and David Janollari Entertainment: Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder, who served as consulting producers on Season 1 under their overall deal at Uni TV, have been named executive producers and showrunners. They will succeed Monica Owusu-Breen, who wrote the pilot and served as showrunner on Season 1. She is leaving to focus on other projects.

Additionally, two cast members from Season 1 — Sarah Ramos and Yul Vazquez — will not be coming back as series regulars. The hope is for them to appear as guest stars, reprising their characters. Such cast trims are considered standard procedure when shows’ budgets are trimmed for renewal.

Midnight, Texas, starring François Arnaud, is based on the books by author Charlaine Harris, who already has one hit supernatural drama series based on her novels to her credit — HBO’s True Blood. The thriller, which ranked as the No. 1 broadcast drama series last summer in adults 18-49, got to a solid ratings start in July, drawing a 0.9 adults 18-49 rating and 3.6 million viewers (Live+same day) for its premiere. It held relatively steady throughout its run, with the season finale logging a 0.8 demo rating and 2.7 million viewers in L+SD.

Midnight, Texas, whose pilot was directed by Niels Arden Oplev, takes a journey into a remote Texas town where nothing is what it seems. In Midnight, Texas, being normal is strange and only outsiders fit in. It’s a mysterious safe haven for those who are different — a perfect place for anyone looking to hide from the outside world.

The cast includes Arnaud, Dylan Bruce, Parisa Fitz-Henley, Arielle Kebbel, Jason Lewis and Peter Mensah. Charmelo and Nicole Snyder will executive produce with Janollari.

“I am stoked at the prospect of a second season of Midnight, Texas,” Harris said. “I can’t wait to revisit my favorite town to discover what its inhabitants have been up to the past few months. Now the viewers, who’ve been asking me questions daily, will have their reward.”

http://deadline.com/2018/02/midnigh...l-vazquez-monica-owusu-breen-exit-1202268849/

 

[Marvolo]

So they renew the show and immediately fire the actress that plays the love interest of the main character...

Well this is off to a great start.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

I liked this show, so I'll definitely check out Season 2. Too bad about Yul Vasquez and Sarah Ramos though.

 

[Teelie]

Only into their second season and already cutting cast members for a budget trim? Sounds like this series was grazed by the cancellation axe and only just made it past.

 

[rashad]

So they renew the show and immediately fire the actress that plays the love interest of the main character...

Well this is off to a great start.

She chose to not to return. The decision for renewal was in limbo for quite a while. Some of the actors options lapsed during that period basically freeing them up to do other gigs.

 

[Teelie]

Much like this thread, Midnight, Texas is dead. Got cancelled though it was fairly obvious seeing as it never caught on and the ratings were bad.