When ABC debuted their midseason drama Resurrection, a lot of people assumed it was a remake of the French series The Returned, based on its very similar premise. However that wasn't the case. But we are getting a U.S. remake of the French drama after all, courtesy of Carlton Cuse and Raelle Tucker, whose adaptation of the series will air on A&E.
A&E announced this week that they've ordered ten episodes The Returned, which will be written and executive produced by True Blood's Raelle Tucker. Carlton Cuse penned the first episode and the series is based on the French series, which was inspired by the film Les Revanants. So just to be clear, this is a remake of a remake... and it has nothing to do with ABC's drama Resurrection, though all of the mentioned projects involve people mysteriously returning after being presumed dead. Here's a look at the trailer for the French series:
The Returned will focus on a small town that's turned upside down when several locals who have long since been believed dead suddenly reappear. Their arrival brings both positive and detrimental consequences. "As families are reunited, the lives of those who were left behind are challenged on a physical and emotional level," the announcement's description reads. "Interpersonal relationships are examined with intrigue and depth as strange phenomena begin to occur." Presumably stranger than the arrival of formerly-deceased people.
The Returned won't be the only A&E drama that involves Carlton Cuse. The Lost writer also has Bates Motel airing at the network. Meanwhile, over at FX, Cuse is executive producing Guillermo de Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain. So he has quite a bit going on on the cable TV front these days
Casting on the series is said to begin immediately, and it sounds like A&E's looking to get production started on the drama this Summer. There's no mention of when they're looking to get the drama on the air. We do know that The Returned is set to be a co-production of A+E Studios and FremantleMediaNorth. Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America notes the success of the original series. "Les Revenants has proven to be both a critical and commercial success worldwide and we couldn't be more excited to partner with A&E on this adaptation. Carlton and Raelle, the creative forces behind such fantastic television as Lost and True Blood, are the perfect combination to bring this complicated and provocative family drama to U.S. audiences."
Netflix already brought the original drama to U.S. audiences. All eight episodes of the original French series, which is set in the Alps, are available streaming on Netflix.
