Film and TV producer Elizabeth Guber Stephen has forged a first-look deal with Fox Television Studios to develop and produce cable-based projects via her Gables Media, Inc. shingle, Variety has learned.
Initial projects include the USA drama series “Timeline,” which Stephen is exec producing, and “Magic City Memoirs,” which is set up at Fox and exec produced by Stephen and penned by “Bones'” Liz Benjamin.
“Timeline,” from author Jennifer Lynn Barnes, is about a female astronaut who returns to Earth only to discover that her past and, in effect, her entire life, has been rewritten.
“Memoirs” is an adaptation of the 2011 film from writer-director-producers Aaron Salgado and Jaydee Freixas and follows three wealthy, influential families whose sons are now facing the fallout from the secrets that their fathers — Cuban refugees who came to Miami 30 years ago — harbored in order to obtain success.
“Elizabeth Stephen brings a clear and thoughtful perspective on TV development, having spent years as a studio executive and producer working in both feature film and television,” said Fox Television Studios President David Madden. “Elizabeth focuses on ‘messed-up’ characters stuck in complicated relationships while in the midst of pressurized stories, and that is very appealing to FTVS. We are all delighted to be in business with her.”
Stephen, whose credits include the Jason Clarke-Jason Isaacs Showtime series “Brotherhood,” added that “Fox Television Studios is totally in sync with my vision for Gables Media in developing and producing the kinds of personal stories that resonate with audiences.”
“Our focus will be on emphasizing the writer’s voice and on creating character and relationship-driven programming,” she said. “On a personal note, I’m thrilled to be working again with my longtime friend David Madden, who produced The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, my first feature film as an executive at Hollywood Pictures. Joining forces with David and his highly talented team is truly a dream scenario.”
Stephen previously served as president of Mandalay Television, and has held development and production positions with The Avnet/Kerner Company and Hollywood Pictures. Before launching Gables Media, Stephen was executive vice president of RHI Entertainment.
