NBC is getting back into the world of comic book adaptations, but this time they aren’t eyeing Marvel or DC. After a single season ofConstantine, which featuredMatt Ryanplaying the DC comics character John Constantine, failed to gain the traction they were hoping it would, the network is shifting gears a bit. This time around, they will be bringing the Top Cow comicWitchbladeto the small screen.
The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news and revealed that NBC has made a script commitment for the newWitchbladeseries.CSI’sCarol MendelsohnandThe Vampire DiariesshowrunnerCaroline Drieshave been hired to adaptWitchbladefor the network. There is no word on how far along the show is, but it seems to be pretty early on in the process and there is no guarantee the show will make it to air, since NBC has yet to commit to a pilot. The comic book was also adapted in the early 2000s on TNT, but only ran for two seasons. Here is how THR is describing the series.
“The Sony Pictures Television drama centers on homicide detective Sara Pezzini, on the hunt for an elusive serial killer, who must navigate the grisly streets and police politics of San Francisco’s Mission District, until one day the bracelet she has worn her entire life gives her supernatural insight into a crime she’s trying to solve. Her bracelet is the Witchblade, an amulet that has been worn by remarkable women throughout history, and Sara is next in line.”
Witchbladewas created byBrian Haberlin,Marc Silvestri,David Wohl, and the lateMichael Turneras a series for the Top Cow imprint ofImage Comics. The character had her own solo series that ran for 185-issues from 1995 to 2015. Over the span of those two decades,Witchblademet several DC Comics heroes, as well as characters like Lara Croft, Vampirella, Red Sonja and even thePredator.
NBC isn’t only trying to get in on the comic book adaptation game with the newWitchbladeseries, but they are also trying to fill a gap that is about to be left behind in their programming schedule. Their supernatural seriesGrimmis about to wrap up its run later this year, which has been a staple for them on Friday nights for some time. They will need something to occupy that space and something likeWitchbladecould be the perfect fit, assuming the development process goes well and the show actually makes it on the air.
Caroline Drieswill pen the script for the adaptation along withVampire Diarieswriter and Executive ProducerBrian Young.Marc Silvestri, who helped createWitchbladeand is the founder/owner of Top Cow, andMatt Hawkinswill also be producing the show.The Walking DeadproducerDave Alpertis also on as a producer along with Circle of Confusion’sRick Jacobs. It is doubtful that something likeWitchbladewill be able to attract the kind of audience thatThe Walking Deaddoes, but having one of the producers of that show on board certainly won’t hurt anything. We will be sure to keep you up to date as more details on theWitchbladeseries become available.
