BERLIN — NBC has acquired Tandem Communications and Ed Bernero’s crime series “Crossing Lines.”
Set in exotic locations around Europe, “Crossing Lines” follows a disgraced New York cop, played by William Fichtner, who finds redemption after joining an international police unit based at the Intl. Criminal Court in the Hague that investigates cross-border crimes and hunts down brutal criminals.
The network will air 10 episodes beginning this summer.
Created by former “Criminal Minds” showrunner Bernero and Tandem president Rola Bauer, “Crossing Lines” also stars Donald Sutherland, Marc Lavoine, Tom Wlaschiha, Gabriella Pession, Moon Dailly and Richard Flood.
“We’re making scripted projects a priority for our summer lineup, and this is a great fit,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment.
Bauer added: “This is Tandem’s entry into the one-hour series arena and, with Ed aboard, and with this cast, we feel NBC is the perfect home for our show in the U.S.”
“Crossing Lines” is Tandem’s first major production since becoming part of the Studiocanal group, which took a majority stake in the company last year with the aim of strengthening its one-hour series strategy.
Bernero, who was an executive producer on NBC’s long-running drama “Third Watch,” said, “I couldn’t be more pleased to come home to NBC, which recognized the show’s potential.
“Fans of procedural crime shows will feel very much at home with this new team, but at the same time, the global setting will add a color and flavor to the show that will take audiences on a new and exciting ride.
“Crime has gone global like everything else in our lives and now there is a weekly procedural that dives into this world. At the end of the day, we’re all frightened and concerned about the same things and problems no longer tend to stay regionally contained for too long anymore.”
The series will tackle topical crimes and illicit global trades such as plutonium poisonings, serial killings, kidnappings, human trafficking and drug smuggling, added Bauer.
Munich-based Tandem is producing “Crossing Lines” in association with Bernero Prods. and Sony Pictures Television Networks, and in co-production with TF1 Prods., with Bernero and Bauer serving as executive producers.
Germany’s Sat.1 and Italian pubcaster RAI have also acquired the series.
Bernero, a former Chicago police officer who made his TV debut writing for CBS’ cop drama “Brooklyn South,” is represented by CAA and counseled by Tom Hoberman, who also reps Tandem with Randolph M. Paul.
