Waco stars Taylor Kitsch (True Detective, Friday Night Lights), Michael Shannon (Little Drummer Girl, Shape of Water), Andrea Riseborough (National Treasure, Black Mirror), John Leguizamo (Bloodline, Romeo + Juliet) with Melissa Benoist (Supergirl, Glee) and Hollywood rising star Julie Garner (Ozark, Dirty John).
On February 28, 1993, the eyes of the world suddenly converged on a small religious community just outside Waco, Texas when the FBI conducted a raid on charismatic cult leader David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) and his devoted followers.
After what became the longest fiery gun battle in U.S. law enforcement history, four agents and six civilians were left dead, and dozens more were wounded. 51 days later, a fire engulfed the com- pound, killing 76 men, women and children inside.
What transpired over those 51 days remains one of the most misunderstood stories in American history. Waco has come to evoke different ideas to different people -government recklessness, religious fanaticism, conspiracy theories, and cover-ups. But what really happened at Waco?
Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi said: “Waco is one of the most thrilling and tense series I’ve seen in a long time.
“The performances from Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon are in a league of their own and bring out the previously unseen human side to this infamous story.
“We can’t wait for our viewers to see this Emmy-nominated event series as we continue to offer bold, new and exclusive stories for Alibi audiences.”
Laura Andrews, VP of Scripted Programming at Endeavor Content said: “Alibi is the perfect home for UK audiences to watch this compelling exploration into how and why these tragic events occurred in Waco.”
TNT’s limited series I Am the Night stars Chris Pine (Wonder Woman, Star Trek) in a reunion with director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster), who directs the first two episodes and also executive produces.
Inspired by true events, I Am the Night tells the gripping story of Fauna Hodel (India Eisley), a teenage girl who is given away at birth, and grows up outside of Reno, Nevada.
Fauna lives more-or-less comfortably with the mysteries of her origin, until one day she makes a discovery that leads her to question everything. As Fauna begins to investigate the secrets of her past, she meets a ruined reporter (Pine), haunted by the case that undid him.
Together they follow a sinister trail that swirls ever closer to an infamous Los Angeles gynaecologist, Dr. George Hodel (Jefferson Mays), a man involved in some of Hollywood’s darkest debauchery, and possibly, its most infamous unsolved crime.
The talented roster joining Pine includes India Eisley (Underworld Awakening, Look Away) as Fauna Hodel, Tony Award Winner Jefferson Mays (The Americans, Law & Order: SVU) as George Hodel, Leland Orser (Berlin Station) as Peter Sullivan, Yul Vazquez (Last Flag Flying) as Billis, Dylan Smith (Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Lemonade) as Sepp, Golden Brooks (Girlfriends) as Jimmy Lee, Justin Cornwell (Training Day, We Are Boats) as Terrence Shye, Jay Paulson (Mad Men) as Ohls andConnie Nielsen (Wonder Woman) as Corinna Hodel.
Carl Franklin (House of Cards, Homeland) and Victoria Mahoney (Claws) each direct two episodes. I Am the Night is distributed by WarnerMedia and acquired for UKTV by Emma Sparks, head of acquisitions, for Alibi.
Emma Sparks said: “I am delighted to be working with WarnerMedia to bring this incredible series to Alibi. With all the elements of film noir, and an A-list cast with Chris Pine and with Patty Jenkins directing, it’s the perfect show to build Alibi’s portfolio of darker serialised crime drama.”
Pierre Branco, SVP & General Manager UK, Nordic, Middle East and Turkey, Turner said: “A mind-blowing and gripping tale of a notorious unsolved crime – I Am the Night is a fascinating story that needed to be told. We are proud of this show and thrilled to have found the series a home with UKTV.”
Both shows come to Alibi later this year.