Starz is developing the new one-hour drama “Gringo,” about an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent who goes undercover in one of Mexico’s deadliest cartels, from veterans of the network’s “Spartacus.”
The project is inspired by “The Shadow Catcher,” a non-fiction book by U.S. Immigration Officer Hipolito Acosta. It follows a Mexican-American ICE agent who infiltrates a cartel that smuggles drugs and people. It is written by “Spartacus” alums Aaron and Todd Helbing and executive produced by Steve Lee Jones of Bee Holder Productions.
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“‘Gringo’ provides a thrilling and uniquely personal look into international organized crime, never seen by the American public, from the viewpoint of a federal undercover agent on the front lines,” said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director of Starz. “We are excited to work with this team to develop ‘Gringo’ into what we think could make for incredibly compelling television.”
Jones recently founded Bee Holder Production’s TV Division. The company’s credits include the award-winning film, “You Don’t Know Jack.”
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The Helbing brothers’ credits include “Spartacus: War of the Damned,” “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” “Smallville” and “The Mob Doctor.” They also co-wrote the first season of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy,” as well as the Emmy-nominated live-action series “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.” They are also supervising producers on “Black Sails,” premiering on Starz in January.
The Helbings are represented by CAA. Acosta is represented by The B.G. Dilworth Agency, Inc. and Amy Schiffman of Intellectual Property Group.