WGN America Starts Production on its First Original Scripted Series Salem
Steve Barton
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In case you haven’t been paying attention, witches are all the rage right now… and about damn time, too! Next to form a coven of its own is WGN America, which kicked off production today on “Salem.”
From the Press Release:
WGN America enters the world of the most notorious witch trials in history with its first original scripted series, “Salem,” as production begins today in Shreveport, Louisiana, on the provocative Fox 21 drama. On an expansive set reflecting volatile 17th century Massachusetts, “Salem” explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth behind them.
Created, executive produced, and written by award-winning writer/producer Brannon Braga (“24,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Voyager,” and “Enterprise”) and Adam Simon (The Haunting in Connecticut), “Salem” launches WGN America’s strategy to become a dedicated purveyor of innovative scripted fare.
“Salem” stars Shane West (pictured above; “Nikita,” “ER”) as handsome, hardened war veteran John Alden; Janet Montgomery (“Human Target,” “Made in Jersey”) as the ruthless but vulnerable Mary Sibley, Salem’s most powerful enchantress – and Alden’s onetime love interest; Seth Gabel (“Fringe”) as local aristocrat Cotton Mather who fans the flames of Salem’s witch hunt; Ashley Madekwe (“Revenge”) as Mary’s mysterious, carnal accomplice; Xander Berkeley (“Nikita,” “The Mentalist”) as chief politician Magistrate Hale; Tamzin Merchant (Jane Eyre) as the forthright Anne Hale, an artist with a perilous attraction to Alden; and Elise Eberle (The Astronaut Farmer) as the mysteriously afflicted Mercy Lewis.
In “Salem” witches are real, but they are not who or what they seem. The show, which centers on an epic romance wrapped around this explosive revelation, delivers a bold new vision of Salem – and an even bolder new vision of witches.
Alongside Braga and Simon, Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz executive produce, with co-executive producers Liz Sarnoff, Tricia Small, Jon Feldman, and Vahan Moosekian. Richard Shepard directs. WGN America has ordered 13 episodes of the drama, which hails from Fox 21 (“Homeland,” “Sons of Anarchy”), the trailblazing cable production arm of Twentieth Century Fox Television. “Salem” is slated to premiere in spring 2014 on WGN America.
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