UKTV has snapped up the rights to Believe, the latest drama from Lost creator and Star Trek director J.J. Abrams, for its channel Watch.
Produced by Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, the series was co-created with Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) and is one of the most hotly anticipated US dramas of the year.
The 13-part series follows the bright and feisty Bo (Johnny Sequoyah), a girl who’s lived with foster parents all her life. She also has emerging supernatural powers.
A mystery to everyone, including herself, she is sought by those who want to protect her, as well as those who seek to exploit her gift.
Enter Death Row inmate Tate (Jake McLaughlin – Savages, Safe House), who is slated for execution for a crime he did not commit.
Tate is rescued by the resourceful and ideological Winter (Delroy Lindo – Gone in 60 Seconds), but in return for his freedom, Tate is tasked with looking after Bo, whose untested powers have a transformative effect on everyone she meets — even the jaded Tate.
Bo is in danger, however, because the unlimited wealth and resources of multinational businessman Skouras (Kyle MacLachlan – Blue Velvet, Sex and the City) are focused on acquiring the gifted girl and harnessing her powers.
Endlessly on the run, the fugitive Tate and Bo travel from city to city, evading their relentless pursuers, transforming the lives of those they encounter and growing closer as they discover more about themselves and what they truly believe.
The series will air on Watch early next year.
Channel boss Steve Hornsey, said “Believe is packed full of mystery, intrigue and suspense, and comes from the extremely talented Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams, who are masters of their craft.
“The series, laced with intricate twists and turns, perfectly embodies Watch’s brand position of showcasing compelling, out of the ordinary programming.”
Jeffrey Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution, added: “From the creative auspicious to the writing to the performances, Believe is a terrific series and we are pleased that it will have a great home on Watch in the U.K.”