Salem - WGN America Entering Into Original Programming

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgn...original-scriptd-series-brannon-bragas-salem/

WGN America Greenlights Its First Original Scripted Series, Brannon Braga’s ‘Salem’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

Tribune’s WGN America is officially an original scripted programming player. Two months after Matt Cherniss was named president and general manager of WGN and indicated he would be looking for a scripted series to define WGN, the superstation has greenlighted its first original scripted series, drama Salem. The project, from Star Trek and 24 alum Brannon Braga, Adam Simon (The Haunting In Connecticut) and Fox21, has received a straight-to-series 13-episode order and is slated to begin production in the fall for a 2014 premiere.

Salem, originally developed for FX, is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts and explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. The show, which centers on an epic romance, is said to deliver a new vision of witches who are real though they are not who or what they seem. Braga and Simon created the series and will serve as executive producers alongside Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz. “Brannon and Adam have an amazing vision for the world and characters that comprise Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials and we believe that a great adventure full of supernatural, romance, and action awaits the viewer,” Cherniss said.

Salem (then Malice) was originally sold to FX last summer. Then came the setting for American Horror Story: Coven, with the third installment of the hit FX series revolving around witches. I hear, with FX’s blessing, Fox21 president Bert Salke took the project to WGN, which embraced it. Salem reunites 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman with Cherniss and Tribune CEO Peter Liguori, who worked together when Liguori and Cherniss were at Fox. “As WGN America launches its strategy of programming distinctive original content, Salem is the perfect vehicle, and Gary, Dana, Bert and everyone at 20th with whom we have worked in the past is the perfect studio for us to begin this journey,” Liguori said. Added Newman and Walden, “Our studio has had a long and successful relationship with Peter and Matt, so we are thrilled to be back in business with them on this fantastic new project.” Salem is expected to kick off an aggressive expansion of WGN’s programming slate.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/ric...utive-produce-wgn-america-drama-series-salem/

Richard Shepard To Direct & Executive Produce WGN America Drama Series ‘Salem’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

Richard Shepard has boarded WGN America‘s first scripted series, drama Salem, as director and executive producer. Shepard will serve as director and executive producer on the project, part of his deal with 20th Century Fox TV. Salem, from Brannon Braga, Adam Simon and Fox21, is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts and explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. Salem has a 13-episode order and is slated to begin production in the fall in Louisiana for a 2014 premiere. Shepard, repped by WME, Anonymous Content, and Karl Austen, has directed the pilots for Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty (for which he won both an Emmy and a DGA Award), and most recently Golden Boy. His movie Dom Hemingway will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

Interested to see if this works out for them. The story certainly has potential.

 

[jonathancrane]

Agreed.

There is a lot of potential.

 

[Shifty]

WGN is in 20 million less homes than most cable networks so hopefully the show's budget isn't too cheap.

More channels (Sundance, WeTV, History, FXM, FXX, WGN) going into original programing is only good for the viewer.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/bea...-salem-jennie-garth-closed-for-mystery-girls/

Ashley Madekwe, who just wrapped a two-year stint on ABC’s Revenge, has been cast in Salem, WGN America’s first scripted series, from Brannon Braga, Adam Simon and Fox21. Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, it explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials. Madekwe, repped by Silver Lining Entertainment, Gersh and UK’s Gordon & French, will play Tituba, Salem’s most powerful witch Mary Sibley’s exotic and mysterious right hand and helper who hasn’t aged in the ten years she has been apart from her master.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/seth-gabel-cast-in-wgn-americas-salem/

Seth Gabel Cast In WGN America’s ‘Salem’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

EXCLUSIVE: Fringe alumnus Seth Gabel is set for a lead role in Salem, WGN America’s first scripted series, from Brannon Braga, Adam Simon, director Richard Shepard and Fox21. Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, it explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials. Gabel, repped by Management 360, ICM Partners and Felker/Toczeck, will play Cotton Mather, a local aristocrat who makes it his business to oversee the witch hunts in Salem.

Love this guy.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/janet-montgomery-star-wgn-americas-651224

Janet Montgomery to Star in WGN America's 'Salem'
12:30 PM PDT 10/28/2013 by Lesley Goldberg

UPDATED: Xander Berkeley will also have a regular role in the original drama from Brannon Braga.

WGN American has found the lead for its first original scripted drama, Salem.

Made in Jersey alum Janet Montgomery has been tapped to star as Mary Shibley in Salem, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The 13-episode drama is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts and explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials. The series will look to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this ignominious period in American history. The witches featured are real, but they are not who or what they seem. The series, centered on an epic romance wrapped around an explosive revelation, delivers a bold new vision of Salem -- and an even bolder new vision of witches.

Mary is described as beautiful, radiating confidence and power with a hidden sexuality. She's ruthless and vulnerable at the same time and the wife of the ancient, ailing but wealthy George Sibley, who is one of the Salem town Selectmen. She's formerly the girlfriend of the young John Alden, who left to go to war 10 years ago.

Additionally, Xander Berkeley (Nikita, The Mentalist) has joined the cast in a series regular role as Magistrate Hale, who is described as one of the Selectmen of Salem. The politician is a company man who believes in pomp and circumstance.

Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Terra Nova) created and penned the series alongside Adam Simon (The Haunting in Connecticut). The drama hails from Fox 21 (Homeland, Sons of Anarchy). Braga and Simon executive produce alongside Prospect Park's Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz. Richard Shepard will direct the pilot.

Salem will premiere on WGN America in spring 2014.

Mongtomery is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and Morris Yorn. Her credits include features Our Idiot Brother and Black Swan. Most recently, she filmed the ABC pilot Gothica, where she portrayed Grace Van Helsing in the high-concept monster drama. Berkeley is repped by Affirmative Entertainment and Stone Meyer.

Montgomery and Berkeley join a cast that also includes Fringe alum Seth Gabel.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Berkeley will not recur but instead be a series regular.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/11/sha...d-of-wgn-americas-salem-tamzin-merchant-cast/

Shane West Set As Male Lead Of WGN America’s ‘Salem’, Tamzin Merchant Cast
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

With Nikita coming to an end, series leading man Shane West is set as the male lead of another drama, WGN America’s first scripted series Salem, starring Janet Montgomery. Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, it explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and centers on Mary Sibley (Montgomery), the beautiful, ruthless but vulnerable wife of the ancient, ailing but very wealthy George Sibley, one of the Salem town Selectmen. West, repped by UTA and Luber Roklin plays John Alden, a hardened veteran of 10 years of war and captivity at the hands of the Indians who returns to his native Salem to find it consumed in Witch Hunt frenzy, led by Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel). Also cast in the Fox 21-produced series is Tamzin Merchant (The Tudors) as the beautiful Anne Hale, a talented artist who is attracted to the newly arrived John Alden, unaware of his history with Mary Sibley. She is with ICM Partners, Authentic and Curtis Brown.

 

[Sawyer]

[YT]ICJaJgbZDKI[/YT]
Dat Seth Gabel speechifying.

 

[Sawyer]

First Look Photos

Credit where it's due, they gave West a much different look than when he was on Nikita.

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

this is sounding like some really good stuffs here... count me in for that series premiere...

 

[Sawyer]

[YT]Phc6SaxiJ9M[/YT]
Looks good.

 

[Sawyer]

Full Trailer:

[YT]xyBp01IVem4[/YT]

 

[Morg]

too bad I won't be able to watch it, my cable switching that channel digital and I don't have the box to watch it

 

[SuperBatman]

Surprising how many shows I want to watch is on Sundays.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/stephen-lang-wgn-america-salem-witch/

Stephen Lang Joins WGN America Series ‘Salem’
By THE DEADLINE TEAM

Stephen Lang (Avatar) has been tapped for a recurring role on WGN America’s drama series Salem. Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, it explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and centers on Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), the beautiful, ruthless but vulnerable wife of the ancient, ailing but very wealthy George Sibley, one of the Salem town Selectmen. Innovative Artists-repped Lang will play Increase Mather, an old-line, hard-core Puritan who led the way across the ocean to the Promised Land in the late 1600s. Intellectually, spiritually and politically, he’s the most influential man in the country – and the most feared. Lang is set to reprise his role as Colonel Quaritch in James Cameron’s Avatar sequels. His TV credits include Fox’s Terra Nova and HBO docu Love, Marilyn. Salem debuts Sunday at 10 PM.

 

[Sawyer]

Premieres tonight. 10 PM.

 

[Morg]

still have that station for now, surprising good so far and sure showing ton of bare skin.

 

[Jason Kane]

still have that station for now, surprising good so far and sure showing ton of bare skin.

Cha-ching!

Aw, but now I'm torn between this and Mad Men

 

[Shifty]

Bailed 15 minutes into this even with low expectations.

 

[Sawyer]

Quite enjoyed this. Not head over heels in love or anything. But enjoyable.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

I watched this. I never watched any trailers or read anything about it before someone I know mentioned the guy from Nikita is in it. Otherwise went in totally 100% blind.

I had no idea if this was going to be a straight-up historical retelling or a supernatural story.

Imagine my surprise at how crazy it is.

I've gone and looked at some reviews and they are like "MEH TOO MANY WITCH STORIES / WITCHES ARE OVEREXPOSED" which I think is a pretty lame and untrue justification for bashing the show. The historical aspect on the other hand, yeah, I can see how that could rub people the wrong way if they can't deal with an alternate fantasy reality where the historical hysteria was justified. The first episode seems to give a lot away and I wonder how the writing for the show will sustain itself in the long run but I'm pretty sure I'll be watching the next episode.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/wgns-salem-off-to-strong-ratings-start/

WGN’s ‘Salem’ Off To Strong Ratings Start
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

WGN America‘s first original scripted series Salem debuted to a solid 1.5 million total viewers and 647,000 Adults 18-49 at 10 PM ET last night. That represents a +635% increase over the network’s Adults 18-49 season-to-date average in the slot and WGN America’s highest-rated telecast in more than seven years, since 2007. We should note that WGN America covers only 62.3% of the U.S. (72 million homes) and is a rare single-feed cable network, meaning that the Salem 10 PM premiere aired at 7 PM on the West Coast. For comparison, the 2007 premiere of AMC’s first original scripted series, Mad Men, drew 510,000 Adults 18-49 and 1.6 total viewers in 92 million homes. For the night, the Salem debut drew a total of 2.3 total viewers and 886,000 adults 18-49 over four airings, including encores at 11 PM ET/8 PM PT, 1 AM ET/10 PM PT and 2 AM ET/11 PM PT. “These numbers far exceeded our expectations,” said Matt Cherniss, WGN America President and General Manager. Originally developed at FX, Salem, about the Salem witch trials, is the first series as part of WGN’s push to become a top tier general entertainment network. It will be followed by period drama Manhattan, premiering in July 2014, and event series Ten Commandments, debuting in 2015.

635% increase... Jesus.

 

[Jason Kane]

Not bad for a once Chitown station that was home to Bozo the Clown. Now lets see where the next twelve weeks go

 

[Morg]

http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/wgns-salem-off-to-strong-ratings-start/

635% increase... Jesus.

the nudity probably explain the ratings

 

[Primal Slayer]

Isn't this their first scripted show or something?

The pilot was OK. Had some cool parts but could've been better. I'll stick with it for now.