CBS said it would add a sci-fi drama, “Zoo,” to its lineup for next summer, continuing a recent effort to launch escapist fare with elements of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial for a time of year when broadcast networks once largely kept new programming on the shelf.
The network said “Zoo,” based on the 2012 thriller by author James Patterson, would consist of 13 episodes and was given a straight-to-series order.
The series looks at the fallout from a wave of violent animal attacks against humans across the planet. As the assaults become more coordinated and fierce, a young renegade biologist tries to unlock the pandemic’s mystery.
Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg wrote the script and are executive producers with James Mangold, Cathy Konrad, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and Steve Bowen.
“’Zoo’ further demonstrates our commitment to high-quality, year-round programming and to high-concept series that play to summer audiences in the U.S. as well as on a global scale,” said Nina Tassler, chairman, CBS Entertainment, in a prepared statement. “With this No. 1 bestseller coming to television, we’re excited to give our viewers a thrill ride with another blockbuster summer event.”
The series is a CBS Television Studios production, and will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios Intl.
Patterson’s book was originally published Little, Brown and Co. and was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller. It has been translated into six languages and has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide.
Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg recently signed a first-look deal with CBS Television Studios under their banner Midnight Radio. James Mangold and Cathy Konrad have an overall deal with CBS Television Studios through Tree Line Films.
