The Commanders

Last updated
The Commanders
Genre
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production companyA+E Studios
Original release
Network History

The Commanders was an upcoming American anthology drama series was set to premiere on History.

Contents

Premise

The Commanders was described by History as: "an anthology scripted series envisioned as an annual television event ranging from four to 10 hours in length. It will dramatize pivotal moments in U.S. history that defined the legacy of the men who served as Presidents of the United States — from the first one, George Washington, to Number 42, Bill Clinton." [1]

Production

Development

On March 21, 2017, History announced that they were developing an anthology drama series entitled The Commanders that focuses on different pivotal moments in U.S. history that defined the legacies of the men who served as President of the United States. The first installments of the series were said to focus on Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. As part of the development process, History had optioned several biographies as source material for The Commanders including The Breach: Inside the Imp]eachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton by Peter Baker, Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade, The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan by Rick Perlstein, and Alliance: The Inside Story of How Roosevelt, Stalin & Churchill Won One War & Began Another by Jonathan Fenby. The series was set to be produced by A+E Studios with each season being overseen by different production staffs and writers. [1] [2]

On November 30, 2017, it was announced that History had decided to develop their adaptation of Peter Baker's book, separately from The Commanders series, as its own miniseries. The series was set to be written by R. J. Cutler and David K. Israel. Cutler was also set to direct the series and executive produce it alongside Barry Jossen. Production companies involved with the series included A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. While The Breach was to no longer air as the first installment in The Commanders anthology series, there were plans for it to be followed by a limited series about other presidents. The miniseries was one of six such projects put in development in the spring of 2017, with the others still in the works. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

On April 4, 2018, it was announced that History was no longer moving forward with The Breach. It was further clarified that the miniseries had been intended to be the first season of The Commanders and the other seasons of the series were still in development. Producers for The Breach reportedly had trouble casting the lead role of Bill Clinton after making various offers to "A-list" actors which contributed to the season's demise. [8]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (March 21, 2017). "History Developing Anthology Scripted Series About U.S. Presidents: Bill Clinton & Ronald Reagan Among First Subjects". Deadline. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  2. ↑ Gettell, Oliver (March 21, 2017). "Presidential Anthology Series 'The Commanders' in the Works at History". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  3. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 14, 2017). "History Orders Bill Clinton Impeachment Drama Series 'The Breach' From RJ Cutler". Deadline. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  4. ↑ Otterson, Joe (September 14, 2017). "History Greenlights Bill Clinton Impeachment Drama 'The Breach'". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  5. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (September 14, 2017). "Bill Clinton's Impeachment to Be Focus of History Scripted Drama The Breach". TVLine. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  6. ↑ Velocci, Carli (September 14, 2017). "Bill Clinton Impeachment Drama 'The Breach' Gets History Channel Greenlight". The Wrap. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  7. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (September 14, 2017). "Bill Clinton Impeachment Drama Series Greenlighted at History". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (April 4, 2018). "History Scraps Bill Clinton Impeachment Drama Series 'The Breach'". Deadline. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
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