Yup, it's that time again when the networks produce a bunch of pilots, of which the good ones will never make it to series and the mediocre or bad will get an order before crashing and burning in the ratings. :D

 

Deadline have got a complete guide for all the broadcast and cable networks. These sound like some of the most promising:

 

Gothica (ABC) - A sexy gothic soap set in present day that weaves together a mythology that incorporates the legends of Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein and Dorian Gray among others. Starring Melissa George (Hunted, The Slap), Chris Egan (Kings), Janet Montgomery (Made in Jersey), Seth Gabel (Dirty Sex Money, Fringe), Tom Ellis (Miranda) & Raza Jaffrey (Mistresses, Smash). Pretty much the best cast that's been announced so far.

 

Betrayal (ABC) - A beautiful but unhappily married female photographer begins a torrid affair with a lawyer for a powerful family. When he turns out to be defending a murder suspect who is being prosecuted by her husband, the relationship and the case begin a spiraling series of betrayals with cataclysmic results for everyone involved. Based on Dutch series. Starring Hannah Ware (Boss) & James Cromwell (LA Confidential).

 

Murder in Manhattan (ABC) - Hourlong dramedy is set in NYC centering on a mother and daughter who team up as amateur sleuths. Starring Annie Potts (GCB) & Bridget Regan (Legend of the Seeker).

 

Pulling (ABC) - Single camera comedy which tells the story of three dysfunctional women in their 30s living their lives the way they want, even if society tells them they should have it all figured out by this point. Based on the British series. Exec produced by Sharon Horgan, starring Mandy Moore & June Diane Raphael.

 

Blink (CW) - A warm, quirky, humorous drama about a family whose lives are forever changed, for better and worse, when the patriarch has a car accident resulting in a coma-like syndrome where he cannot speak or move, but can see and hear all. His narration and fantasy sequences emanating from his mind provide context and a wry counterpoint to the stories and conflicts of the family and his own situation. Starring John Benjamin Hickey (The Big C), Madeline Carroll & Michael Weston (Six Feet Under, House).

 

The Hundred (CW) - The series is set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. A spaceship housing the lone human survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to investigate the possibility of re-colonizing the planet. Based on Alloy books by Kass Morgan. Starring Eliza Taylor (Neighbours), Marie Avgeropoulos (Cult) & Henry Ian Cusick (Scandal).

 

Reign (CW) - The previously unknown and untold story of Mary Queen of Scots rise to power when she arrives in France as a 15-year-old, betrothed to Prince Francis, and with her three best friends as ladies-in-waiting. The secret history of survival at French Court amidst fierce foes, dark forces, and a world of sexual intrigue. Starring Adelaide Kane (Neighbours, Teen Wolf), Toby Regbo (UK series The Town, Maleficent) & Caitlin Stasey (Neighbours).

 

The Tomorrow People (CW) - In the vein of X-Men and Heroes, it’s the story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil. Based upon the original UK series. Starring Luke Mitchell (Romeo in Home and Away), Robbie Amell (1600 Penn) & Peyton List.

 

About a Boy (NBC) - Single camera comedy. Follows the relationship between a bachelor man-child and the young boy who moves in next door with his kooky single mother. Starring David Walton (Bent, New Girl) & Minnie Driver (I Give It a Year, The Riches).

 

Untitled Michael J Fox (NBC) - Single camera comedy with a 22 episode order. Loosely based on Michael J Fox’s real life, a husband and father of three in New York City deals with family, career, and challenges – including Parkinson’s disease. Starring Michael J Fox (The Good Wife) & Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad).

 

Believe (NBC) - An unlikely relationship develops between a young girl with a gift and a man sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power. Starring Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Desperate Housewives) & Jake McLaughlin (Savages).

 

Bloodline (NBC) - Set against the backdrop of modern suburbia, it follows the story of an orphaned young girl, Bird Benson, who, due to an accident of birth, is caught in the epic struggle between two warring families of mercenaries and killers. Mentored by a mysterious Chinese man, Bird must accept the quest to find and defeat her mother in mortal combat if she is ever to lead a normal life. Starring Skyler Samuels (The Nine Lives of Chloe King), Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) & Kadee Strickland (Private Practice).

 

Hatfields & McCoys (NBC) - Set in present day Pittsburgh, a startling death re-ignites the feud between these two legendary families. Unleashing decades of resentment, the blue collar McCoys will put the Hatfields’ wealth and power at risk as they go to war for control of the city. Starring Rebecca De Mornay (The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), Virginia Madsen (Scoundrels, Hell on Wheels) & Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill).

 

The Secret Lives of Husbands & Wives (NBC) - A thriller-dramatic soap that centers on a murder and the secrets and lies within a tightly woven group of three suburban couples and their families exposed in its aftermath. Inspired by Josie Brown’s 2010 novel. Starring Laura Allen (Dirt, Awake), Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) & Martin Henderson (Off the Map, Shortland Street.

 

The Sixth Gun (NBC) - Supernatural Western follows the story of six mythical guns, each with its own other-worldly powers. Based on the Oni Press graphic novel. Starring Laura Ramsey (She's the Man[) & William Earl Brown (Deadwood).

 

Turn (AMC) - Set in the summer of 1778, New York farmer Abe Woodhull bands together with a group of childhood friends to form The Culper Ring, an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America’s fight for independence. Based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington Spies. Starring Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot, Jane Eyre) & Burn Gorman (Bleak House, Torchwood).

 

Crash & Burn (FX) (not ordered to pilot yet) - Tells the story of Doc Dixon, a man trying to survive as a Stuntman during the anything goes world of pre-computer-generation, post Vietnam San Fernando Valley, California. He’s trying to save his family, hold together his union, and live to see 50… all with the understanding that if his work doesn’t kill him… the weekends probably will.

 

True Detective (HBO) (straight to series) - The lives of two detectives collide and entwine during a 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana. The investigation of a bizarre murder in 1995 is framed and interlaced with testimony from the detectives in 2012, when the case is reopened. Starring Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike), Michelle Monaghan (Source Code), Elizabeth Reaser (The Good Wife) & Kevin Dunn (Unstoppable).

 

Penny Dreadful (Showtime) (straight to series) - Some of horror literature’s most famous characters — including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and Dracula — become embroiled in Victorian London. Directed by Sam Mendes.

 

The Vatican (Showtime) - A provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church. The series will explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world’s most hidden institutions. Starring Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies), Matthew Goode (Stoker) & Sebastian Koch (The Lives of Others).

 

The Hundred & Secret Lifes of Husbands and Wives sound good.

There's some absolutely shocking sounding pilots this year for the networks., and chances are at least one will be commissioned even though it will never work!

 

The ABC-Shield pilot is a given, wonder if they might try it in the 8pm Thursday death slot. I can't see it not being a hit.

 

CBS have some big sounding pilots, and certainly some big cast names signed on already, although they're in the best position out of the network dramas so not sure how many they will take on.

Murder in Manhattan sounds good but those other ABC shows all sound woeful.

 

:lol: at you not highlighting a single CBS drama Jark, a couple of them sound pretty good, though as ever the comedies sound especially dire so will obviously be smash hits.

SyFy have picked up a rather brilliant sounding new show by Ronald D Moore, I hope this means they've finally realised that SYFY should be about SCI FI and not ghost hunting and wrestling and shit reality TV.

 

*cancels Warehouse 13 instead*

SyFy have picked up a rather brilliant sounding new show by Ronald D Moore, I hope this means they've finally realised that SYFY should be about SCI FI and not ghost hunting and wrestling and shit reality TV.

 

I think that is Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome :w00t:

 

Gothica sounds pretty good, nice to see a remake of The Tomorrow People, not sure how the series will fare though, Bloodline, Hatfield & McCoys and Penny Dreadful sound good.

I think that is Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome :w00t:

 

Sadly not, they've already passed on that (and rightly so given it wasn't that good), this is called Helix:

 

''Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind’s salvation or total annihilation.''

 

My guess is it will take over Alphas autumn slot on Monday's.

Actually 3 of those CW pilots sound potentially very good, who'd have thought they could manage ONE, let alone three.

I'm hoping the CW pick up The Selection this time round, heard they've now got Lucien Laviscount on board for the male lead. Surely The Originals is also a given unless the back-door pilot does awfully? Only thing that could potentially retain TVD audience.

 

CBS is an interesting one, they seem to have a few single cam comedies (including one with Rupert Grint as the lead) so they could create a single cam block if comedy expansion finally goes ahead but "Mom" sounds like the only certain pick-up.

Hmm some hit and miss types in that list: The Sixth Gun and The Hundred don't sound bad. Yet Murder In Manhattan sounds horrid

I am praying Murder In Manhattan gets a pick up. It sounds camper than mardi gras and Annie Potts was incredible in GCB :snif:

Exactly, ABC needs a bit of high end camp on their schedule again and who better than Annie in a female detective drama (which are literally always amazing, FACT)

CW will definitely get behind The Originals, they need something that works after The Vampire Diaries, and this seems like the logical fit. The Selection and The Tomorrow people are probably gonna get the green light too.

 

ABC will probably go ahead with S.H.I.E.L.D, seems like their best shot at a hit. Nothing seems too appealing to me, which is a shame because ABC is my favorite network. I guess last year was a fluke with all the great pilots... they desperately need a new drama hit.

 

 

 

 

S.H.E.I.L.D is almost certain to be a big hit, especially with the Avengers hitting the $1bn mark with so much ease.

I'm curious as to what night S.H.I.E.L.D would air though. It's definitely not a Sunday or a Thursday show, and anyway they should put Gothica on Sunday 9pm as a mate for Once. Obviously not Friday. Maybe it could take the Nashville slot on a Wednesday since the audience would likely be interested in the Wednesday comedies too.

 

Either that or they attempt to rebuild Tuesday's with it as the 9pm centrepiece.

Tbh I'd move their reality lineup to Sundays: DWTS/Bachelor/Celebrity Wife Swap/Bachelorette.

 

Once and Revenge should move to Mondays.

NBC have somehow managed to cast John Malkovich (!) as the lead in Crossbones. It's a pirate drama written by the guy who created Luther so that's some hot pedigree there. Nobody seems to know when it's actually going to air, but probably not until 2014.

 

AMAZING *.*