Fox Orders ‘Red Band Society’ Pilot, Commits to Development for ‘Runner’

The announcement marks the network’s first steps in a move away from the traditional pilot season

Fox has made two new TV commitments — for dramas “Red Band Society” and “Runner” (working title) — the first examples of the network’s efforts to break out of the traditional pilot season cycle.

“Red Band Society” is a firm “go” on a series prototype plus additional back-up scripts, the network said. “Runner” has received an off-cycle commitment for further investment towards series production this summer.

Also read: Fox Bypassing Pilot Season, Says It’s a Relic

“Red Band Society,” from ABC Studios/Amblin Television is a one-hour comedic soap opera about a group of teenagers who meet as patients in the children’s wing of a hospital and become unlikely friends.

Margaret Nagle, Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Sergio Aguero will executive produce.

Also read: Benjamin Bratt Joins Fox’s ’24: Live Another Day’

“Runner” will be exec produced by Michael Cooney (who is also writing), 20th Century Fox, Sanders & Moses, and Peter Horton.

The series takes viewers into the traditionally masculine world of arms dealing through the eyes of a woman. After a twist of fate, Lauren Marks learns her husband is not the person she believed him to be. Faced with the harsh reality that her life is forever changed, she goes on a truth seeking journey that entrenches her in a U.S./Mexican war over weapons and terrorism.

Network entertainment chief Kevin Reilly made the announcement at Monday’s Television Critics Association winter press tour that his network would be foregoing a traditional pilot season this time around.

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