WGN America has given Skydance TV and Lionsgate TV a 13-episode order for a 1940s period drama chronicling the development of the atomic bomb in Los Alamos, N.M.
Dubbed “Manhattan,” the project is the first original series to hail from David Ellison’s newly formed Skydance banner. Tribune Studios is also producing.
Series was created by Sam Shaw, who exec produces with Ellison (pictured), Dana Goldberg and Skydance TV topper Marcy Ross. Thomas Schlamme is on board to direct and exec produce.
“Manhattan” marks the second original series ordered by WGN America as Tribune’s new regime seeks to overhaul the general entertainment cabler.
Production on “Manhattan” is set to begin in winter for a planned summer 2014 debut.
