USA Unveils Summer and Fall Slates, ‘Chrisley Knows Best’ Spinoffs in the Works

Top ad-supported entertainment cable channel also invests in more WWE

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Richard Ducree/USA Network

USA Network’s summer slate includes five original dramas, two reality series and one comedy. Its fall lineup is even more robust, and adds an untitled project with The Rock to Mark Wahlberg‘s “Shooter” adaptation.

Summer will see “Chrisley Knows Best” (pictured above), “Royal Pains,” “Complications,” “WWE Tough Enough,” “Suits,” “Mr. Robot,” “Graceland” and “Playing House” hit the small screen.

Fall brings viewers “Paradise Pictures,” “Starchitects,” “Amped,” “The Tap,” “Mythos,” “AWOL,” “Swamplandia!” “Cooley & The Tank,” “Mile High,” “The Recessionistas” and something unscripted involving The Rock. Those projects join Wahlberg’s aforementioned one-hour drama.

Additionally, two “Chrisley” pilots are also in development at the cable network. Through a deal with Embassy Row (“Watch What Happens Live,” “Talking Dead”), USA is developing a late-night talk show pilot hosted by Todd Chrisley, and with series partner Maverick TV (“Chrisley Knows Best”), the network will develop a spinoff pilot around the Chrisley family.

“Fans can’t get enough of the Chrisleys, and we’re excited to give viewers an even bigger dose of this entertaining, unpredictable and lovable family,” said Jackie de Crinis, executive vice president of Original Programming for USA. “Giving Todd an opportunity to bring his unique voice and unfiltered personality to late night is an opportunity we didn’t want to miss.”

The top-rated ad-supported cable channel is also increasing its investment in WWE wrestling. In addition to the returning reality competition “Tough Enough,” USA is bringing “Smackdown” to its lineup in the first quarter of 2016.

“WWE consistently delivers one of the largest and most socially engaged live audiences in entertainment and we’re excited to expand our long-standing relationship and be the true cable home for the WWE fan,” commented USA Network President Chris McCumber.

“WWE is proud to have ‘SmackDown’ join ‘Raw’ as part of our expanded partnership with USA Network,” added WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Vince McMahon. “The combination of the No. 1 cable network and two ratings juggernauts provides a destination for our viewers and an extraordinary platform for our partners.”

Summer series descriptions and schedule information are below, in USA’s own words:

Tuesday, June 2 – “Chrisley Knows Best” 9/8c
Season three of “Chrisley Knows Best” promises even more over–the-top Todd Chrisley moments, as he and his wife Julie continue to raise their two teenagers, Chase and Savannah, eight-year-old son Grayson and two-year-old granddaughter Chloe – all under one roof. The 18-episode third season will air in two parts with 12 episodes this summer.

Tuesday, June 2 – “Royal Pains” 10/9c
Season seven of “Royal Pains” brings us back to the sun-drenched Hamptons with Hank (Mark Feuerstein) setting his sights on obtaining what’s been missing in his life, while Evan (Paulo Costanzo) juggles his promotion with his desire to start a family with Paige (Brooke D’Orsay) and Divya (Reshma Shetty) fights to keep her family together. The series also stars Ben Shenkman and Campbell Scott.

Thursday, June 18 – “Complications” 9/8c and 10/9c
From the creator of “Burn Notice,” comes the fast-paced and unpredictable thriller, “Complications.” The series stars Jason O’Mara as Dr. John Ellison, a suburban doctor who, while still dealing with the emotional effects of his daughter’s death, intervenes in a drive-by shooting, saving a young boy’s life. The series also stars Jessica Szohr, Beth Riesgraf (“Leverage”), and Lauren Stamile (“Burn Notice”).

Watch the “Complications” trailer:

Tuesday, June 23 – “WWE Tough Enough” 8/7c
“WWE Tough Enough” is an action-packed competition reality show from the ratings juggernaut WWE. Featuring a new format, with live elements, the series gives unknown athletes a chance at being crowned the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Fans can expect harder challenges, fiercer competition and rivalries that are more dramatic than ever.

Wednesday, June 24 – “Suits” 9/8c
In the fifth season premiere, Pearson Specter Litt has scored a hard-fought victory, but the fight has left the firm shaken. Although she avoided jail time, Donna (Sarah Rafferty) has left Harvey (Gabriel Macht), after more than a decade of working together. She is now working for his long-time rival Louis (Rick Hoffman). And while Jessica (Gina Torres) readjusts to being single, Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) are giddy after his marriage proposal.

Wednesday, June 24 – “Mr. Robot” 10/9c
This techno thriller follows Elliot (Rami Malek), a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. When the mysterious leader (Christian Slater) of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the firm he is paid to protect, he must make the decision of a lifetime. “Mr. Robot” also stars Portia Doubleday (“Her”), Carly Chaikin (“Suburgatory”) and Martin Wallström (“Simple Simon”).

Watch the “Mr. Robot” trailer:

Thursday, June 25“Graceland” 10/9c
Season 3 resumes after an attack on Mike (Aaron Tveit). Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) gets coerced into a high-risk operation, while his pregnant counterpart Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) is on a mission to find the person who nearly killed her. Joe ‘Johnny’ Tuturro (Manny Montana), Dale Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren) and Paige (Serinda Swan) each seek normalcy as federal agents with the FBI, DEA and ICE living in an undercover world of their own.

Tuesday, August 4 – “Playing House” 10/9c
The critically acclaimed comedy returns for a season two with an innovative windowing structure that, each week, will allow viewers to preview next week’s episode on their Video-On-Demand platforms. Childhood best friends Maggie Caruso (Lennon Parham) and Emma Crawford (Jessica St. Clair) are in store for their biggest adventure yet — raising a baby. This season, Maggie and Emma navigate their way through life as co-parents to Maggie’s daughter Charlotte.  The colorful residents of Pinebrook, CT also return, including Emma’s first love Mark (Keegan Michael Key).

Here is the fall slate, in USA’s words:

“Paradise Pictures”
“Paradise Pictures” is about ambitious people striving to get to the top in 1940s Hollywood, when the dream factory was at its peak. Little do they know the challenges they’re about to face: the end of studio monopolies, the blacklist and the new disruptive technology of television. From Universal Cable Productions, “Paradise Pictures” is written by Rick Muirragui (“Suits”). Muirragui executive produces the project along with “Suits” creator Aaron Korsh.

“Starchitects”
A serialized workplace drama set in the high stakes world of international architecture and design, “Starchitects” follows the embattled rise of a talented young architect taking on the cutthroat competition at a top tier firm based in Los Angeles. The project is from writer and executive producer Mark Steilen (“Mozart in the Jungle”) and executive producer Christina Wayne (“Copper”) and co-executive producer Miura Kite (“Game Change”). Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”) is attached to direct and also executive produces. “Starchitects” is from Endemol Shine Studios and Universal Cable Productions.

“Amped”
When a neurotic family man buys an online “smart pill” to increase his focus and jolt him out of his slump, he gets much more than he bargained for.  To his surprise, the pill gives him incredible strength and power. The project examines both the mighty highs and humiliating lows of being a real-life super hero. “Amped” is based on the characters created for an upcoming comic book by Eric Kripke (“Supernatural,” “Revolution”) for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint. Kripke will serve as executive producer/writer of “Amped,” from Kripke Enterprises in association with Warner Horizon Television.

“The Tap”
“The Tap” takes place at Yale University in 1969 and explores the height of America’s cultural and political revolutions as one of its students, Jay Butler, is simultaneously recruited into the country’s two most secretive and powerful organizations, the CIA and Skull and Bones. “The Tap” is written and executive produced by Andrew Lenchewski (“Royal Pains”) and Aaron Tracy (“Law & Order: SVU”). Rob Reiner (“When Harry Met Sally”), Alan Greisman (“The Bucket List”) and Charlie Ebersol (“The Profit”) will also executive produce, with Reiner attached to direct. This historical spy thriller is from Universal Cable Productions. 

“Mythos”
“Mythos” is a serialized adventure in which everything we believe to be myth turns out to be a guarded truth that has been concealed by members of two opposing groups — each with differing agendas for the fate of humanity. Caught in the middle is Nate Brigman, an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation by the mysterious disappearance of his wife. This high stakes drama from Universal Cable Productions, is written by Spenser Cohen (“Macklemore’s Big Surprise”) and executive produced by Charlize Theron (“Monster”) and Laverne McKinnon (“CSI: Miami,”) from Denver & Delilah Productions, along with Anna Halberg (“Inner Demons”).

“AWOL”
Written and executive produced by Carey and Shane Van Dyke (“Chernobyl Diaries”), “AWOL” deals with the gritty world of an ex-military operative who, after returning home, experiences trouble re-entering the real world and providing for his family.  Desperate, he gets involved with the criminal underbelly of Los Angeles where he utilizes his military expertise in an unexpected way. “AWOL” is executive produced by Len Wiseman (“Sleepy Hollow,” “Total Recall”), Mike Connolly (“Hemlock Grove”) and Andrew Plotkin (“Related”). Wiseman is also attached to direct. The project comes from Fox 21 Television Studios.

“Swamplandia!”
Based on Karen Russell’s best-selling novel and Pulitzer Prize finalist, “Swamplandia!” is an offbeat family drama that centers on the Bigtrees, owners of Florida’s top alligator-wrestling theme park. The family is reeling from a recent tragedy and is struggling to maintain its livelihood when a competitor moves in across the swamp. Liz Tigelaar (“Life Unexpected”) is adapting the novel and executive producing the project. Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black” franchise) will also executive produce and is attached to direct. Russell will serve as executive consultant. “Swamplandia!” hails from Tigelaar’s Best Day Ever, in association with Warner Horizon Television.

“Cooley & The Tank”
An homage to the decade that ushered in modern television, “Cooley & The Tank” goes behind-the-scenes of the fictional 1981 detective drama of the same name to explore the complicated lives of its two feuding stars. Daniel Arkin (“Suits,” “Alias”) is writing the pilot script with Anton Cropper (“Suits”). Arkin and Cropper will executive produce with Rain Managements Jonathan Baruch and Rob Wolken. Cropper is also attached to direct. The project is from Universal Cable Productions. 

“Mile High”
Two best friends, a Wall Street broker and a struggling entrepreneur, team up to capitalize on the newly legalized cannabis enterprise in Colorado. The series follows the young duo as they enter into this highly lucrative growth industry, but their new venture is not without its obstacles such as dangerous criminals and stringent law enforcement. From writer and executive producer Josh Parkinson (“Eastbound & Down”) and executive producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura (“Transformers” franchise) and Dan McDermott (“Zero Hour,” “Human Target”), “Mile High” is from Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions. 

“The Recessionistas” (Limited Series)
Based on the book by Wall Street executive Alexandra Lebenthal, “Recessionistas” is an ensemble drama that follows a group of elite Manhattan women and their ruthless Wall Street husbands as they adjust to the new world order in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse. From Universal Cable Productions and writer/co-executive producer Melissa London Hilfers and executive producers Alan Gasmer (“Vikings”) and Peter Jaysen, “Recessionistas” is being developed as a limited series.

The Rock Untitled Project (Alternative Development)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (“Furious 7”) and Dany Garcia sign on to develop and executive produce an unscripted television series for USA Network. The project is from Garcia and Johnsons 7 Bucks Productions.

Those fall development projects join USAs previously announced pilot commitment for the hour-long drama “Shooter.” Based on the best-selling Bob Lee Swagger novel by Stephen Hunter, “Point of Impact,” and the 2007 Paramount film starring Mark Wahlberg, “Shooter” is an action series about a highly decorated Marine sniper who’s on the run after being falsely accused of trying to kill the President.

The co-production with Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions comes from executive producers Wahlberg (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Entourage”) of Closest to the Hole Productions, Stephen Levinson (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Entourage) of Leverage Entertainment, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (“Transformers,” “Zero Hour”). John Hlavin (“The Shield”) wrote the pilot script.

USA Network also recently announced a pilot pick-up for thriller “Falling Water,” written and co-created by Blake Masters (“2 Guns”) and the late Emmy Award-winner Henry Bromell (“Homeland”), and executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd (“The Walking Dead”). The project is from Universal Cable Productions and joins the previously announced Fox 21 Television Studios pilot “Queen,” which remains in contention.

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