New York, NY, October 8, 2008 – Spike TV has ordered an untitled two-hour pilot based on the Irish Mob in Boston from MGM Television Entertainment (MGM), and will go into production late this fall with an option to go to series. Emmy® and DGA award-winning director Walter Hill will serve as director of the pilot. Chris Bertolini (“The General’s Daughter,” Battle: Los Angeles) wrote the script. The original drama is executive produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship® President Dana White and Tom Lynch and the Tom Lynch Company.
Scheduled to shoot on location in Boston, the story revolves around the explosive fallout that occurs when a Boston mob boss abruptly vacates his position and various rival factions face off in an epic battle to control the streets.
The production team also includes Gary Stephenson and Richard Bullock who will serve as producers. Sheila Jaffe (“The Sopranos,” “Entourage”) will serve as casting director.
During the course of his remarkable career, Hill has been a writer, director and producer on projects ranging from classic westerns to action-packed thrillers and buddy comedies, all marked with his visceral style. Hill most recently directed AMC’s critically-acclaimed and Emmy®-award winning miniseries “Broken Trail,” for which he won the Emmy Award® for producing and was nominated for Outstanding Directing For a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special. Hill won the DGA award for “Broken Trail,” and was honored with Emmy and DGA awards for his work on the pilot of the groundbreaking neo-western “Deadwood” for HBO. Hill is represented by ICM.
This movie marks the first ever scripted project for White, who helms the world’s fastest growing sports organization, the UFC, and hosts Spike TV’s wildly popular series, “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Bill McGoldrick, senior vice president, development, is Spike TV’s executive in charge of production. For MGM, production is being managed by Chris Ottinger, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Television Group.